CHARD Road Runners were out over the weekend with races from Ham Hill, Charmouth and Lundy Island.
CRRs’ first outing was the Ham Hill to Lyme Regis 50k Ultra Marathon, with Roddy and Stuart McLean, Andy Leeson, Darren Murphy, Mark Pike, James Musselwhite, Simon Hall and Helen Baxter all involved.
Setting off at a steady pace knowing that the heat would take its toll, the McLeans were the first to start moving up through the near 200-strong field.
With the halfway point of Winsham now behind them, the sun shone down on the runners, affording beautiful blue skies and amazing views.
First-time Ultra runners Pike, Murphy, Musselwhite and Hall were all struggling with the heat, but kept great focus.
Entering Lyme Regis it was Roddy and Stuart McLean who crossed the line first for CRRs, followed by Leeson with Pike and Murphy, Musselwhit, Hall and Baxter.
This was an amazing effort by all in this near self-navigation race in the heat.
The very hilly, coastal trail race, the Charmouth Challenge was attended by Wayne Loveridge, Mike Egan, Matt Baker and Gary Wheaton.
Loveridge and Egan made good early progress through the 330-plus field of runners, and as they rounded Golden Cap the views were some compensation for the burning legs.
Loveridge crossed the line first for CRRs in a time of 55:26 – second overall.
Egan crossed in 01:11:40, Baker 01:27:02 and Wheaton 01:35:51.
The last event was the inaugural Lundy Island 14-miler, with Richard Clifton representing the club.
Heading out fast to gain some clear ground, Clifton found his form and was able to keep good pace.
With the last dash for the line, he crossed in 16th place out of 250 runners and picked up a prize for age group winner.
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