THE fifth Hydro Harriers-sponsored Piddle Wood Plod 10k took place near Orchard Portman and Thurlbear last Sunday.

The rain held off for the 200 runners braving the hilly and varied terrain route, taking in part of the Herepath route, now established as part of the Somerset Series.

First home was Matthew Bowden (Minehead RC, pictured inset) in a time of 39mins 18sec; second was Joe Orme (39.40) and third Marcus Albano (Taunton AC, 39.46).

First female was Kirstie Booth (Taunton AC, 45.31), second female Verity Elston (Minehead RC, 46.10) and third female Amy Walsh (Wellington Weavers, 48.07).

First male vet was Owen Meredith (Somerset Tri, 40.01 and fourth place overall), and first female vet Emma McCormack (49.36 and 37th).

Ian Salter was the first Hydro Harrier home at Longrun Meadow Parkrun last Saturday, recording a time of 19mins 28sec.

Also running were Chris Jones (19.57), Andy White (20.30) and Rowland Lyons (26.22).

Meanwhile, Simon Blunt debuted at Burnham, managing 28.10.

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RUNNING Forever had 18 athletes taking part in the Piddle Wood Plod, with the club’s first runner back to the cake stall being Chris Brown in 41.26, which earned him ninth place overall.

Dave Bullock was second back in 52.04, with Arthur Lewis (54.02) and RFRC’s first female finisher Mercedes Thorne (56.28) just behind.

Other finishers were:

Michael Glide (58.07); Tanya Herbison (59.12); Sally Tuer (59.45); Rob Murr (60.42); Ola Timpson (60.53); Steph Andrews (61.29); Lin Lewis (66.19); Pete Stretton (66.49); Rachel Nicholls (70.06); Lisa Windsor (80.07); Brian Brown (80.15); Rachel Reid (83.02); Sarah Holloway (83.55); Sarah Reed (85.20)

The Yeovil Marathon saw Georgina Brice finish in 5.06, and there were three entrants in the Half, with Simon Malley doing a speedy 1.32.

Ann-Marie Crampton made it home in 2.07 and Eliza Brodie 2.39.

Parkrun tourists ventured to Swindon, Trelissick, Whitley Bay, Horsham, Mosman, Exmouth, Severn Bridge and Pony y Bala.

Thirty-four were at Longrun Meadow, where Paula Bisatt, Finton Murray and Tom Brodie had PBs.

Running Forever and Taunton AC runner Hannah Taunton has been in Italy this week, meanwhile, training with the Paralympic Futures Academy.

She finished her week by racing the T20 category against some of the best para athletes in the world, coming third in the 1,500m (4.44.91), and fourth in the 800m with a PB of 2.22.11.

Also representing RFRC were Andy Burgess and Adrian Edwards, who did the Centurion 100-mile South Downs Way race in 26 h 27m – an amazing achievement!

Somerset County Gazette:

CENTURION: Andy Burgess and Adrian Edwards

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A TOUGH, hilly course at the Clevedon 10k gave Taunton Athletic Club’s Neil Smith (40.42, eighth place) and Andy Staples (42.33, 13th) a great workout for a Sunday morning.

Scott Weetch, however, went the extra mile – in fact several extra miles – and did the Dartmoor Discovery, over 32.5 hilly miles.

Having sold out early the last couple of years, the Piddle Wood Plod has become a firm favourite in the local race calendar.

Taunton AC’s Marcus Albano, in third place, took a minute off his previous time in 39.46.

James Heal crossed the line in 40.24, Craig Whitemore also took a minute off his previous time (42.09) and Carl Ward finished in 46.38.

The girls were also on form, with Kirstie Booth first lady home in 45.31 and Liz Heal back in 50.40.

Somerset County Gazette:

PLODDING ALONG: Craig Whitemore, Kirstie Booth, Marcus Albano, Liz Heal and James Heal at the Piddle Wood event

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WELLINGTON Weavers' finest runners took on the Piddle Wood Plod 10k race last Sunday.

The course was off-road and hilly, taking in Thurlbear Woods, and with only the odd cloud for cover competitors wove their way around the undulating route.

High-flying Amy Walsh came in as third female overall, challenging runners in the neighbouring larger town of Taunton.

Club results were as follows:

Neil Basil 46.38; Amy Walsh (48.07, third female); Sarah Cavanagh 48.24; Simon Earl 55.11; Rebecca Davis 56.05; Chris Knott 56.57; Laura Clark 1.03.50.

Chris Knott said: "The community spirit from the Thurlbear Primary School children took the edge off a very tough course."

All were rewarded with Somerset's finest cider and cakes.

Elsewhere, Eliza Brodie completed the Yeovil Half Marathon.