RUNNING: Taunton Athletics Club's Kate Drew excels at Forde Abbey 10k

Despite a bumped car en route and broken hand during the race (after falling in the river and smashing her hand against a rock), she still came through as fastest female finisher, in a time of 47:54.

She was followed home by fellow TAC runners Carl Ward (50:17), Martin Bluemel (54:55), Mark Bysouth (56:29), Robin Green (59:27), Ursula Green (1:07:04), Sharron Kington (1:25:35) and Declan Rogers (1:25:36).

The Torbay Half saw Adam Stokes finish in fourth overall, with a time of 1:12:28, ahead of Steve Willis in 1:20:43.

Carl Ward posted a time of 51:05 and Lesley Westgate 1:04:53 at the Umborne Ug in Devon, while Will Nicolle managed an 800 PB of 2:08 at the Exeter track.

Finally, Nick Daniels was in Lyme Regis for the Poppy Run for Armed Forces Week, and was first home in a 10:22 PB!

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TAUNTON Running Club had another busy and a ‘rather too warm for running’ weekend. Over 30 members ran park run, a big team took on the Quantock Beast and the regular Sunday training group covered 8.5 miles.

Pictured above (from left) are the ‘All Blacks’ team at the Quantock Beast - Kerry Eiserbeck, Hanna Philips, Caroline Blair and Sam Safe.

The club's next ‘Couch to 5K’ programme starts on Tuesday, July 17.

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RUNNING Forever’s athletes mostly enjoyed shorter events this week - just as well given the hot weather.

On Wednesday, five members took part in the Forde Abbey 10k cross country event, encountering cows, hills and river crossings.

Dave Marshall just beat the hour mark, followed by Shelley Clothier, Bryany Beale, Sarah Holloway and Lisa Windsor.

No fewer than 17 members took on the 5.7-mile Quantock Beast at the weekend.

This trail race around Broomfield is notorious for its hills, and Ben Timpson came a creditable 15th in a time of 43:03.

First club lady was Keely Sutton in 48:05, and they were followed by Sallie Durman (49:19), Brian Bandyszewski (49:32), Bev Collins (49:35), Hilary White (53:08), Lee Derrick (53:43), Lisa Denson (56:18), Sam Stamp (56:42), Nadine Prouse (58:49), Joanne Toogood (1:01:11), Rob Murr (1:01:32), Georgina Brice (1:02:11), Peter Stretton (1:03:46), Phil Wilson (1:13:43), Val Perigo (1:14:05) and Sarah Holloway (1:17:48).

The club’s only long distance runner this week, Martin Webb, took on the Isoman marathon in Worcester, and was pleased with third place in 4:11:29 – a great performance.

Helen Moffat travelled to Gloucestershire for the 23k Maverick trail race, finishing in 3:12:57, while Gavin Clegg was sixth in the Euro City League orienteering event in Ypres.

This weekend’s Parkrun tourists went to Killerton, Montacute, Burnham, Worthing and Bakewell, while 36 took part at Longrun Meadow.

HEAT: Running Forever at the Quantock Beast.

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THE recent warm weather has, for many, brought beer and barbecues.

For the ‘Beast’ lurking on the Quantocks, the threat of mud, mud and more mud just did not materialise, so the ‘Beast’ became more of a ‘Belle’ for the runners taking part.

In its 24th year, the challenging 5.7-mile multi-terrain race held from Fyne Court, Broomfield, in the heart of the Quantock Hills, saw 136 runners finish the course.

First back for the ‘Just Run’ group, and 28th overall, was Ross Brayley in a time of 47:40 followed shortly by Ian Bawler in 48:46 in a position of 37th.

Rachel Nicholls crossed the finish line in a time of 1:06:35 just ahead of the pink vest worn by Kevin Dunn, 1:07:18 and Fiona Lewis 1:07:56.

‘Just Run’ meet every Tuesday in the Castle Street car park at 6.30pm, all abilities are warmly welcomed.

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ROWLAND Lyons was ‘home alone’ for Hydro Harriers at Longrun Meadow Parkrun, recording a year’s best time of 23:47.

Meanwhile, the much-travelled Andy White equalled his Exmouth best of 19:32.

Hydro Harriers enjoyed numerous successes at their annual inter-department sports day last Thursday, at Bath University.

Medals went to Ian Salter (5k silver, 3k bronze, 1500m bronze), Chris Perring (3k silver), Tom Bond (100m & 200m bronze, 400m silver) and Mark Foss (1500m silver, 3.5k fun run first place).