This week the focus turns to the Juniors, writes John Perratt.

Janet Ackford takes regular sessions on a Saturday morning for youngsters between the ages of eight and 16 upwards on Core Copse, off East Hill Strips.

Once a month they also meet elsewhere to change the scenery, but always off road.

She holds Time Trials for them and logs their mileage as they clock up a cumulative distance for both half and full marathons.

The emphasis though is more on just running for the sheer pleasure of it.

Over the years many youngsters have taken part and it was pleasing to see so many of the current and former members of the group doing well at the recent East Devon Schools Cross Country Championships.

These were held over a scenic course at Bicton College and from that event teams have been selected to represent East Devon at the next stage - the match between East Devon and Exeter Schools.

That will have been held this last week at Killerton House, another attractive venue, and teams will again be picked for the Devon Championships scheduled for January in Plymouth.

Those selected for the Killerton race include Toby Garrick who was a convincing winner amongst the Year-7 boys in a large field of 135 whilst in the same age group Emily Bolton was the fifth girl.

The schools work on ages as at the end of August and the next age groups cover two school years. There is though a bit of an imbalance as our Junior Girls (Under-15) did well with Abi Pyne, Molly Spalding and Dulcie Grierson all making the selection but no boys in that age group.

When in contrast we turn to the Intermediate (Under-17) age groups there were only two girls, Maya Elston and Daisy Caldwell, but four boys - Grey Grierson, Nick Smith, Scott Harman and Jack Scrivens.

Finally Scott Hill and Tania Marriott made the Senior teams (Under-19) and Kit Grierson has been asked to go along as a Guest runner.

He was unable to run at Bicton because he was away on a University Open Day and so was not eligible for selection but hopefully will still be considered for the combined team to be chosen for the next stage in Plymouth.

Further details about the activities of the Club’s Junior section can be found on the website www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk or by phoning Janet on 01395 516 139 or 07854 080740