Competitors on Salcombe Hill during Sunday's Exe to Axe run. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref mhsp 6682-14-12SH To order your copy of this photograph visit www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24

The inaugural running of the seven-mile multi-terrain Kilmington Kanter saw a good turnout of Honiton Running Club members, writes Judy Davey.

The race boasts two hills of about a mile long each although the Honiton contingent felt they had known a lot worse adn it was all in a good cause as the money raised was for the primary school.

Kevin Hawker was first home for Honiton in fourth place overall in 45 minutes 38 seconds but he would have finished higher if he hadn’t taken a wrong turn. Bruce Strawbridge and Steve Davey had a battle throughout the race and ended up sprinting together at the finish only to be given exactly the same finishing time of 50:33.

However, Bruce did just get in front and came 18th to Steve’s 19th place. Richard Harris was next back in 25th place in 52:29 with Howard Bidmead finishing one place behind, having had a great run, to finish in 53:31. Vernon Gillard finished 29th in 54:13.

The next three were vying for positions throughout the run and swapping several times. Nick Bradley-Carter was the eventual victor coming 36th in 56:17 with Judy Davey 37th in 56:26 and Pippa Westall 38th in 56:59.

John Burgess treated this as a warm up for the Easter Bunny 10k in Yeovilton and was delighted to finish just under the hour in 59:55. Olivia wasn’t far behind coming in 31 seconds and three places later. Tracey had her usual fantastic sprint finish to come in 64th in 72:29. Tom Merson of Exmouth Harriers won the race setting the target for future years of 39:07.

There were 81 runners.

There was also a 2.5-mile fun run and junior race through Kilmington woods. Honiton’s Rowan Westall took part coming ninth in 21:55.

This was the first run for Wendy Williams after a knee operation and she was pleased with how it went coming 18th in 27:51. There were 20 runners.