The 14th running of the Trigs Challenge was run in sunshine, in complete contrast to the awful weather the South West had been experiencing recently, writes Nick Keast.

The race is about 16 ‘country’ miles long with over 3500 feet of climb, runners have to visit four trigs in a circular route.

The first at High Peak before Fire Beacon followed by Buckton Hill via White Cross and Sidbury and finally Weston.

To make sure runners stay on footpaths there are additional checkpoints in strategic places.Detailed route choice and navigation are the runners’ responsibility.

Having used last year’s race as practise for this year’s event, Patrick Devine-Wright made no mistakes with navigation around the course and romped home in first place in a time of 2hrs 20mins.

He finished almost three minutes ahead of Tim Lenton who has of course won the race in each of the last two years.

Local boys Matt Szala and Justin Ashby raced it out for third and fourth places. Matt’s younger legs had the better of Justin’s along the final and toughest section along the coast back from Weston.

Lin Lascelles after a couple of years’ absence was first lady home in 2hrs 53mins just ahead of Beer boys James Green and James Trewick!

A lot of locals participated in the challenge, but a special mention should go to Anna Read and Abi Lee who are both juniors and who ably supported some of the more ancient runners!

By contrast Arthur Vince aged 73 also successfully got around, just, and in doing so broke the record for the slowest time to date of 6:20.

Once again, a big thank you must go to Stuart Hayman and Neil Tubbs who provided the now infamous pasties and cake to all finishers. The event’s proceeds will be donated to local charity Eating With Dignity.