CHARD Road Runners were out in force in midweek at the Somerset Series Round 10 at Haselbury Trail Race – a challenging mainly off road 10k race.

Heading the Runners home was Wayne Loveridge who finished second in a strong field to secure top spot in the Somerset Series.

The stiles caused a few issues and once over them some escort duties were needed for a few runners that found the cows a bit more of a challenge than the race. Results: Wayne Loveridge 2nd, 38m 57s; Nick Daniels 15th, 44m 20s; Martin Holley 31st, 47m 52s; Richard Cave 34th, 48m 08s; Helen Baxter 87th, 63m 49s; Gary Wheaton 99th, 66m 27s; Miranda Coleberd 105th, 69m 12s; Vicky Musselwhite 121st, 83m 36s.

The shorter but still tough 6k race in the evening was also well supported by Chard who showed some excellent form.

Results: Matt Baker 38m 22s; Tim Dismore 41m 0s; L Chant 51m 43s.

Saturday evening saw a group of Runners tackle the Maiden Newton Madness 10k Hilly run an off road race which strained muscles to the limit.

Kate Beaumont led the Runners with an excellent second in her category.

Results: 50 Kate Beaumont (Vet F35, 2nd) 52m 5s; 87 Claire Gibbs (Vet F45, 10th) 61m 57s; 103 Gary Wheaton (VM 40, 21st) 64m 40s; 115 Miranda Coleberd (Senior Ladies, 13th) 68 02s; 117 Vicki Stanners (Senior Ladies, 14th), 69m 39s; 129 Vicky Musselwhite (Senior Ladies, 17th) 77m 55s.

A break from the challange of the longer run saw Nick Daniels off to Devon for round four of the Devon Open Athletics series at Tavistock on Sunday.

Despite very very hot and windy conditions Daniels produced an outstanding 1,500m run 4m 58.28 to finish first in catergory and third overall.

He followed this up with the 100m when he recorded a personal best of 14.02s. Then to complete a fine days work he also secured a PB of 29.14s in the 200m.

At the opposite end of the scale, on Sunday Bernard Genge took part in his first full Iron Man competition – a 2.4mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile cycle the a 26.2 mile run.

With the 6am start the swim was always going to be a real challenge and Genge emerged from the water in 1hr 46m 21s later in 113th place He completed the cycle ride in 6hr 38m 26s, pushing him up to 84th position with the marathon still to go.

Undeterred, Genge set off at real pace to complete the run in 3hr 56m 24s to finish 85th.