THE weather changed at the weekend and one Chard Road Runner decided it would be a great time for a Half Marathon.
Helen Baxter was the only CRR in this packed field of 330 runners setting off from East Farm, Blandford Forum, in the Dorset Invader Half Marathon.
STEADY PACE: Helen Baxter
With a Centurion in full regalia on horseback leading the runners off, the recent dust quickly turned into a mud bath as the race headed out into the countryside along paths, tracks wooded trails and wide open fields.
Progress was slow from the start as the runners were faced with strong winds and rain which seemed to come from all directions.
As Baxter entered into the first of the field sections the skies opened and the rain almost blocked her vision of the route ahead.
With the last mile of the route mainly down hill-ish Baxter gave a final push and crossed the line in 3h 24m 13s and 249/330.
SIXTEEN members of Chard Crew Running Club have taken part in the Cancer Research 5km muddy run and were coated from head to toe at the end of the course.
Stuart Weech took on the Buckland 10km Bolt and beat the sweltering heat and hilly course to come home in 57.57.
Members who took part in Exeter muddy race were Lucy Hodson, Janice Best, Holly Best, Elekra Best, Bex Barnes, Charlie Venables, Charlene Hedges, Karen Taylor, Cressida Govier, Hanna Pounder, Kerry Bale, Laura Harwood, Ruth Osborne, Laura Hicks, Chelsea Bale and Robyn Osborne.
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