CHARD Road Runners athlete Wayne Loveridge finished as runner-up in the Slay the Dragon 10k event at Hinton St George on Sunday.

More than 400 runners turned out to take part in the 10k, 4k and 2k fun run events which took in lanes and fields around Hinton, Dinnington and Allowenshay, raising £3,000 for Hinton First School.

The event was well supported by local running clubs and by many of the local schools, including Buckland St Mary, Haselbury Plucknett, South Petherton, Maiden Beech and, of course, Hinton St George, who were represented by 120 children and young people in the three races.

In the 10k event, Wells City Harrier Tom Tik came home in first (38mins 03sec), with Loveridge 27 seconds behind and Ed Stahl third in 38:44.

The fastest woman was Lisa Hallett in a time of 48:56.

The Dragons Tail 4k trophy, a new award for this year, was won by Maiden Beech Academy, in Crewkerne, for having the fastest first three runners cross the finish.

The Dragon Egg 2k Trophy, awarded to the first school with the fastest three fun runners, was won by Haselbury First School.

A complete list of race results is available here.

The event is organised by the Hinton St George First School Parents and Friends Association, and sponsored by Frogmary Green Farm, Mayfield Investment Management, Yarcombe Woodland Products, Branstons, Dorothy’s Tearooms and Hinton Fundraisers.

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Chard & Ilminster News:

ROAD RUNNERS (from left): Vicky Whitworth, Helen Baxter, Nicky Smith, Lizzie Smith, Matt Baker, Miranda Coleberd, Claire Gibbs, Richard Clifton, Caroline Day, James Musselwhite.

ALONGSIDE Loveridge, there were eight more Chard Road Runners at the Slay the Dragon 10k event.

And following Loveridge’s fantastic second place (38:30), Matt Baker was home in 52:24, putting him 43rd out of 200 participants.

James Musselwhite, having kept Baker in his sights, crossed the line two minutes later (54:25) for 50th place.

First for the ladies was Helen Baxter in 01:09:40, closely followed by Richard Clifton in 01:11:39.

Having lost Helen at the second style, Claire Gibbs came in soon after (01:13:37).

Vicky Whitworth gave her all and made it to the finish in 01:19:32, while Miranda Colebred – coming back into racing – managed 01:22:00, and Lizzie Smith, who was enjoying running the race with her mum, posted 01:25:10.