TAUNTON Running Club were back in action at the weekend as they went on their annual jaunt to run the Bideford Half Marathon - perhaps the most scenic in the South-West.

Thirty ‘All Blacks’ took part, including six first-timers at the distance - Maxine Dixon, Rachel King, Donna Marie Adams, Flora Bridges, Penny Crout and Amy Maunder.

Perhaps most remarkable was Flora, who only joined the club in November for the Couch to 5K programme and completed the 13.1-mile course comfortably in around 2:45 hours.

There was great running from the club’s first gentleman home, Andy Simmons, in 1:34, and the first lady, Sharon Pearse, in 2:05.

The next Couch to 5k programme starts on March 27 at 6.45pm from Tangier Car Park.

If you would like to take part, even if you’ve never run before, please register on Facebook (TauntonCouch25k).

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‘IT will be fun, they said . . . flat and fast . . .

‘Someone told me porkies!’

That was the view of the County Gazette’s and Taunton AC runner Sharron Kington as she faced up to the Bideford Half Marathon.

‘It felt like I was going uphill for the whole of the first half but, admittedly, the second half on the Tarka Trail was picturesque.’

Third man home for the club was Phil Burden, running on sleep-deprived legs with a new baby in 1.12.13 . . . also scooping first MV40.

Phil Roberts, with 12th place and a pb in 1.18.35, was third MV40.

Ellie Steer ran her first sub 1.40 with a pb of 1.39.45, while Zeke Rawlins was hot on her tail with 1.40.07.

The ever-improving Mark Bysouth ran 1.42.46 pb and Suzi Griffiths a 2.02.21 pb.

As for our Sharron, she came home in a creditable post op pb of 2.15.32.

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RUNNING Forever’s athletes were itching to run this weekend and furthest to travel was Ed Bailey, who completed the Chester 50-mile ultra in 13h05. 

Trevor Stow went to the Milton Keynes Festival of Running, completing the 20 mile race in 2h54. 

Emma Kiernan ran the 20-mile Fission race in Gloucestershire in an excellent 2h25.

Closer to home was the Big Cheese organised by Cheddar Running Club, which Alistair Bisatt and Chris Gunn completed.

Simon Denson travelled to Bideford for their half marathon, completing a fast course in 1h38.

The biggest turnout was at the Larmer Tree Races at the Rushmore Estate. 

Claire Allison took part in the eight mile Dark Larmer before completing her 12th marathon in 12 months the following day. 

Hilary White ran 20 miles in 3h59 while Bev Colllins, Emma Perkins and Peter Hall all came third in their respective age groups in the marathon, followed by Jules Griffiths-Jones and Rob Murr. 

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WELLINGTON Weavers’ running club members wove their way through both Devon and Wiltshire last weekend.

On the banks of the River Torridge, in Bideford, nine Weavers took on the 24th Bideford Half Marathon.

It was perfect weather for a challenging long run, even with the precipitation adding an extra hydration station for the field of in excess of 1,200 participants.

First Weaver in was Simon Denson with a time of 1:38:57, followed swiftly by Ellie Steer 1:39:45 and Luke Merchant 1:45:51.

Next were Gail Nagle and Becky Davis with 1:53:50 and 1:55:30, respectively, with David Duthie not far behind with a time of 2:01:46.

Amy Walsh, Andy Muller and Iza Luterek came in at the tail in a formation of solidarity with a time of 2:18:42.

Elsewhere in Salisbury, Wiltshire, the Awesome Austins, Sam and Harvey, completed the Larmer Tree Trail Marathon.

Harvey rolled in at 4:48:34 and Sam a respectable 6:04:56 - both fantastic times considering the challenging terrain.

For details on how to join Wellington Weavers Running Club, contact Simon Booth on 07939274347/Find us on Facebook.

PARKRUN Hydro Harrier tourist Andy White débuted at Bestwood Village (Notts), last Saturday, managing 22mins 16sec, and sixth position from 63 runners. 

Meanwhile, a jet-lagged Rowland Lyons completed Valentine’s (Ilford) in 27-36, 94th out of 250 runners.