CHARD Road Runners were this week off to the local event now renowned across Europe as the toughest off-road race, the Seaton Grizzly.

This was the most challenging Grizzly for a few years following several days of rain, making it perfect for mud and mayhem.

From the start the pebble beach soon saps the strength from the legs, and it was Wayne Loveridge that showed from the early stages, with Jeremy Taylor, Stuart and Rod McLean, Andrew Leeson, Martin Holley and Jim Wagstaff in hot pursuit.

Running out towards Beer, the hills were starting to stretch the field with Gavin Wyatt, Martin Swift, Stevie Potter, Adrian Male and Ryan Hebron-Wheatley all vying for positions in a packed field.

The challenge of the Branscombe river crossing saw Lee Brun, Richard Clifton, Danny Murphy, Addie Douglass and Andy Mear getting their feet wet.

The notorious mud sections were approaching and Fiona Mclean was going all out with Claire Gibbs in hot pursuit, and in time to see Helen Baxter fall headfirst into the depths of the mud.

Runners took on the notorious Branscombe Beach mile and Stair-way to Haven, then downhill to the Seaton seafront finish, and of the near 1,500 runners Wayne Loveridge was just pipped to the line but took second place in an amazing first race at this distance.

Pictured above (left to right): Simon Hall, Richard Clifton, Claire Gibbs, Andrew Leeson, Martin Holley, Helen Baxter, Adrian Male, Neil Adams, Addie Douglass, Martin Swift, Matt Baker, Gary Wheaton, Stevie Potter, Ian Harris, Lee Brun, Wayne Loveridge, Jim Wagstaff, Ryan Hebron-Wheatley, Darren Murphy, Andy Mear, Phil Hodson, Jeremy Taylor, Stuart McLean, Emma Male, Miranda Coleberd, Rod McLean, Fiona McLean, Gavin Wyatt. Not in photo: Paul Fraser, Mel Boarder, Colin Boarder.

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THE Road Runners' second race of the weekend saw them head to the Bath Half Marathon.

Three members took part, and Dan Cahill took the finish line in a time of 1:18:09, ahead of Kenny Timson (1:27:41) and James Musselwhite (2:09:56).