THIS weekend saw Chard Road Runners focus on two races – a trip down to the New Forest for the New Forest Challenge Marathon, and a 10k at Combe St Nicholas.

An early start in Brokenhurst saw Jeremy Taylor, Roddy McLean, Stuart McLean and Gavin Wyatt set off for the New Forest as the sun was coming up.

Lining up for this self-navigation off-road marathon, all CRRs set off at pace to avoid early bottlenecks on some of the flooded tracks into the Forest.

Jeremy Taylor was first to show, with the McLeans and Wyatt also in the top 10.

As the route headed into strong gusting wind Taylor started to edge ahead, and by checkpoint two, CRRs occupied four of the top six spots – the McLean brothers really pushing hard.

With the last few miles requiring top navigation Taylor took to the front, and crossing the line with a last ditch push he shared first position in 04:01:00.

Next were the McLean brothers crossing the line in equal third position (04:09:00), while Gavin Wyatt was fifth in 04:31:00.

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Chard & Ilminster News:

BIG TURNOUT: Chard Road Runners in Combe (left to right) - Colin Boarder, Miranda Coleberd, Nina Wagstaff, Stevie Potter, Ryan Hebron-Wheatley, Wayne Loveridge, James Wagstaff, Mel Boarder, James Musselwhite, Helen Baxter, Emma Male.

ELEVEN Chard Road Runners – Colin and Mel Boarder, Jim and Nina Wagstaff, Miranda Coleberd, Stevie Potter, Ryan Hebron-Wheatley, Wayne Loveridge, James Musselwhite, Helen Baxter and Emma Male – headed for Combe St Nicholas.

With some changeable conditions this hilly 10k road route was always going to be a challenge, but with the blustery wind the going was especially hard.

From the off Loveridge took to the front of the pack as runners headed up through the village and out into the countryside.

This first mile of uphill was soon sorting the field out, and with Jim and Nina Wagstaff in hot pursuit, Potter and Hebron-Wheatley were starting to pick off some places.

Male, Colin Boarder and Musselwhite found the next hill into the wind a time to show their strength, while Coleberd, Baxter and Mel Boarder pushed hard.

First across the line was CRR Wayne Loveridge in just over 36 minutes.

Next for CRRs was Jim Wagstaff, followed by Nina Wagstaff (first lady), Stevie Potter (second lady) and Ryan Hebron-Wheatley.

Emma Male, Colin Boarder and James Musslewhite were the next three CRRs coming in, shortly followed by Helen Baxter, Mel Boarder and Miranda Coleberd.

Phil Hodson was CRRs’ sole participant in the 5k.

He defied the rain and wind to cross the line after a fine performance.