REIGNING champions Taunton Athletic Club made a confident start to the South-West League season, finishing second from seven clubs in the opening fixture.

They were denied a win by locals rivals Yeovil Olympiads whose team was at full strength in a serious bid by the team managers to oust Taunton from the top spot.

With just four points separating the two teams who scored 989 and 985 respectively ahead of Cornwall AC in third with 877, the league title could be anyone’s at this stage in the season.

Taunton accumulated maximum points with winning A string performances with Rachel Langbein kicking off the day with a win in the league’s inaugural 1500m Steeplechase for women.

Other A string winners: Ollie Berry (senior men’s 1500m), Charlie Maclean (U-20 men’s 1500m) Ben Thompson (U-20 men’s Javelin), Sam Leitch (U-17 Pole Vault), Joshua Searle (U-17 Triple Jump), Hayden Tyler (U-17 Shot), Megan Toon (U-20women’s Triple Jump), Phoebe Bryant (U-15 girls 200m) and Robin Danaher (U-17 Javelin) in a new personal best, new club and league record of 59.74 metres.

TAUNTON’s growing strength in depth was proven with the number of winning B string competitors also picking up maximum points: These included: Isaac Taschnimowitz (U17M – 1500m Steeplechase), Toby Green (U15B -1500m and Discus) Ben Leitch (U15B - Pole Vault), Christian Corthorn (U13B - Shot), Callum Mitchell (U13B - HJ), Abigail Barton (U15G – 200m), Maisie Brown (U13G - 100m).

In addition the points accumulated by those above, the final scores are dependent on the totals accumulated by club stalwarts picking up minor places in a range of events which are not always their main strength or personal preference.

Decathlete Rhys Llewellyn-Eaton (SM) picked up a number of points his talents to good use as did all rounder Luke Reynolds in the U15 boys.

Distance runners Harriet Rogers and Emily Ruffell-Hazell also gamely picked up points for the team in a wide range of events on the track and in the field.

The club’s next team fixture is the South West Cup at Carn Brae at the end of May.

ELEVEN members of Running Forever took part in this year’s Virgin London Marathon.

After a heavy but short rain shower before the start the weather was cool and overcast, perfect for a long run through the capital.

New club member Gerry Hog set a club record with a very fast time of 2:43.22, and in the ladies category, Jo Porter set another club record with a time of 3:35.53.

Results were:265 Gerry Hogg 2.43.22 (Club Record), 538 Alex Abrams 2.52.02, 737 Richard Palmer 2.55.24, 3720 Dan Talbot 3.26.05, 5368 Jo Porter 3.35.53 (Club Record), 9092 Rob Hudson 3.53.43, 14431 Emma Greig 4.13.51, 17333 Steve Hudson 4.24.28, 17561 Graham Strang 4.25.19, 18721 El Palfreman PAUL Cuff and Steve Willis, of Taunton AC, were hoping to set sub three hours in the London Marathon.

Steve suffered from cramp during the run, but Paul went back to look for him — drawing strange looks from the other runners.

Even with just 200 metres to go, Paul waited while Steve recovered from another bout of cramp so they could finish the marathon together in 3.08.

THREE Hydro Harriers have been in big city marathon action recently.

Bruce Badrock finished within his target time of 3 and half hours in the London Marathon and raised £2,500 for charity.

Ian Salter also completed the event, for the third time, bravely battling a calf injury to finish in 3 hours 52 minutes. Meanwhile, a week earlier Adam Clothier clocked 4.01.39 in the Paris Marathon.