Taking on The Drogo 10 is a big challenge for the best of us, but you get rewarded with a route through beautiful woodlands and fantastic views reaching across the Teign Valley, writes Hamish Spence.

After the long driveway out from the castle there are many steep climbs and descents, lots of narrow footpaths, a wall to climb and a bridge to cross.

Five Mighty Greens (MG) did themselves and Sidmouth Running Club proud on the middle Sunday of November.

Kirsteen Welch, Philip Welsford, Simon Hollyer, Sarah Watkins and Arthur Vince were the fabulous five.

There would have been a magnificent seven MGs, but I’m not quite fit enough yet and became a DNS statistic as did Susie Perry! Kirsteen took part in this event despite not feeling quite up to par and suffering a cold. She also knew that she would be competing against the UK middle distance running champion and last year’s winner Mary Menon.

However, in a true Kirsteen competitive spirit, she gave it her best to see how near she could finish to Menon.

She decided to attack from the start knowing that there are many points along the route that form bottlenecks of runners.

This decision was a wise one, as throughout the race Kirsteen was able to keep Mary Menon firmly in her sights.

In the last three miles Kirsteen started to gain a lot of ground on her, never letting up on the chase and almost succeeding.

Crossing the line just thirteen seconds after Mary Menon, Kirsteen Welch was the first MG and second lady across the line, 17th position overall, in a time of 1:11:49. Philip Welsford managed a storming time of 1:32:37, finishing 161st, and he was followed by Simon Hollyer in 252nd place, in a time of 1:41:58.

Sarah Watkins just squeezed in before the two hour mark with a 369th place and a time of 1:57:30.

I have to give a massive well done to Arthur Vince who is a Vet 70+. He claimed the 484th position overall, in a time of 2:56; he deserves a huge round of applause and a lot of respect for completing it.