Nine members of Sidmouth Running Club took part in the undulating Taunton half marathon, writes Lesley Roberts.

Sidmouth's Laurence Bolam, and Matt Szala were in their usual positions, up the front, and as the runners headed out of Taunton the pace was certainly very quick..

At the 11-mile point they were still neck and neck and keeping focused, but, as Matt's cramp got the better of him, Laurence overtook and came through the finish in an excellent 1.18 for 12th place with Matt just a minute later at 1.19 for 16th

Jessica Raynor (nee Watkins) was Sidmouth's first lady runner home in her first half since having her baby and finished in 1.33. Her husband, Simon, was also running and his training certainly paid off as he finished at 1.55. The rest of the Sidmouth contingent were running in preparation for London later in the month. George Chalstry will have been pleased with his time of 1.42 picking up the prize for the 3rd male over 60 on the way. Jo Earlam is logging up some serious mileage these days and this was reflect in her time of 1.51. Becky Robson and Lynda Hawkins had set themselves a comfortable target of 2 hours and finished with half a minute to spare. Anne Langworthy ran at her ‘own marathon’ pace. Two hours and twelve minutes later the job was done.

?A bit closer to home was the Exe to Axe, a race that does not appeal to everyone. It is a very long way from Exmouth to Seaton along the coastal path and very hilly. Many drop out at Sidmouth or Branscombe but Sarah Brown battled to the end as did Colin Flood, David Welsh and tail end charlie Corinna Stephens who did a great job nursing the lame and wounded at the back of the field. Milan Goc and Phil Welsford opted for the convenience of the half distance as preparation for London.