FOUR Chard Road Runners tackled the Dalwood 3 Hills Challenge – a very hilly multi-terrain ten mile race taking in the wilds of the countryside between Axminster and Honiton.

They battled their way through mud, along stone paths, across streams and other obstacles.

But what made it really tricky was a sudden change in the weather. Following excellent conditions for running over the last month it came as a shock to the Runners’ systems to face freezing wind which sapped the strength as the steep hills came into view, Keeping together over the first few miles, Gary Wheaton, Julie Bindon and Helen Baxter took on the hills on with the lead constantly changing between the three depending on their courage on the downhill stretches.

Wayne Loveridge took off at his usual rocket pace but with an added incentive to get some heat into his body.

Keeping his focus through the challenging downhill sections, Loveridge fought his way towards the front of the strong pre-Grizzly field of runners and crossed the line in a creditable seventh place.

Next to finish for the Runners were Wheaton and Bindon who crossed the line together. Wheaton just got the nod but Bindon was awarded an identical time. Baxter followed just one minute behind. Results: Wayne Loveridge (7th) 1hr 15m 38s, Gary Wheaton (81st) 2hr 7m 46s, Julie Bindon (82nd) 2hr 7m 46s, Helen Baxter (83rd) 2hr 8m 55s.

Meanwhile in the New Forest Bernie Genge took on the multi-lap Heartbreaker Marathon.

The varied terrain, coupled with falling temperatures and increasing rain, made the event a challenge to pace.

But Genge, having run three marathons in as many weeks, really pushed hard to finish 71st in a field of 176 and timed 3hrs 59m 08s.