THE first race for Chard Road Runners last weekend involved a 3.30am start to catch the race coach to Avebury for a 6am kick-off.

Taking on the off-road Conquest of Avalon was Andrew Leeson who, having only weeks ago taken on his first marathon, stepped up to the Ultra Marathon distance of 70 miles.

Setting off from Avebury, Leeson kept his early focus on pace as the heat of the day was already showing.

With the hours passing Leeson hit the 30-mile marker and found the treat of an ice cream too much to resist, as he battled the heat and the open, hilly terrain.

Leeson started to struggle at 60 miles, but coming off Pennard Hill he was spurred on by the sight of Glastonbury Tor.

Entering into Glastonbury, he was all smiles as he crossed the line in fifth place (14h 28m 59sec).

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THE weekend's second race for CRRs was the more local Martock Road 10k – this fast running 10k was the choice of Sunday mayhem for eight club members.

Heading off from the fire station, Dan Cahill and Mike Egan were at the front of the pack, closely followed by Matt Baker, Kieron Chapman and Colin Boarder, while heading out of Martock with the slight uphill it was Emma Male, Lizzie Smith and Mel Boarder.

Cahill stepped up his pace and was in the top five of a very strong field, with Egan holding his pace and fighting the effects of the heat.

Cahill ultimately came home in an excellent third place, in a time of 35m 32s.

Egan finished in 46th place (44:48), and then Baker in 52:03, just ahead of Chapman (52:05).

Colin Boarder finished in 56:17, Emma Male 57:09, Lizzie Smith 01:08:37 and Mel Boarder 01:12:42.