THREE Chard Road Runners members headed to the award-winning Giants Head Marathon, based in the small village of Syding St Nicholas.

On the start line for CRRs were Paul Masters, Adrian Male and Helen Baxter.

The very hilly trail marathon set off along the country lanes before heading up the concrete hill which turns the running to fast walking pace.

Male and Masters had had a lack of training over the last three weeks, while Baxter set out with a goal to complete her second GHM.

At the halfway point, having already negotiated near 2,000 feet of elevation, runners faced a mile of steep climbing.

Masters was feeling the effects of the heat but kept his head down and opened a small gap on Male, with a downhill finish into the beautiful village green.

Masters crossed the line first for CRRs in 5h 21m 33s (89/395), followed by Male (5h 22m 00s, 93rd) and Helen Baxter (6h 30m 41s, 255th – a clear 45m quicker than her 2018 result).

On Sunday Baxter took part in White Star Running’s Advanced Bell Race – an off-road trail raising funds for Sydling St Nicholas Church repairs.

The 9k race is all about fun, with forfeits offered out by the marshals; Baxter took off as fast as she could on tired legs.

The route finds all the hills possible in a smallish area, then with the giving of the bell at the top of the route runners head for the finish line making as much noise as possible.

Today CRRs host the Forde Abbey 10k off-road race; the race registration opens at 5.30pm, with a prompt start at 7pm (minimum age 17).

A junior open to primary school age and below, covering 1.5k of an off-road route, will also take place with a start of 6.15pm (registration opens from 5.30pm).