DEVON?S Kevin Hagley was in a class of his own on Saturday when he won the annual Sticklepath Horseshoe Race in 1 hour and 16 minutes, beating off competitors from around the country.

The race started in the Sticklepath Flower Show field and toured the source of the Taw Valley, crossing Belstone and Steeperton Tors before returning via Cawsand Beacon, almost ten miles and climbing 1,700 ft in total.

Kevin had left his competitors by the first checkpoint, but notable performances were achieved by Marcus Byron who had travelled from Tynedale in the North East (second overall) and Martin Courtvriend from Macclesfield Harriers (third overall).

First lady was Gill Evans from Shepshed RC in Leicestershire in a time of 1.41.00 and notable performances from locals were Wendy Gibb from Okehampton and Rachel Short and Paul Bartlett from Drewsteignton.

The event goes from strength to strength and there are plans for the village to donate a special challenge trophy in time for next year?s event.

Thanks go to marshals Tim Butler, Mike Savage, Peter Williams, Rob Champion and David Stallion. Thanks also to the Taw River Inn for sponsoring prizes.

l Hagley also won the second Sourton Tor race and takes the challenge trophy, donated by John Hockridge, for the next 12 months.

Kevin, winner of the Sticklepath Horseshoe race the previous day, put in an excellent performance and was in a class of his own, narrowly missing the record of 11.09 set by Nigel Jenkins in 2002. Gill Evans, travelling from Leicester, set a new female record time of 16.02.

In contrast to last year, the event took place in pleasant conditions and spectators were able to watch progress from the church to the top.

Thanks go to Anne Russell and Anne Haygarth for timekeeping, Roger Alford and John Hockridge for

marshalling the course and to Geraldine and Jack Dury for donating prizes.

Judy Maund, of Worcester, won a bottle of wine for being closest to guessing organiser Phil Haygarth?s time of 17.09.

Proceeds from the event will be returned to the village and there is a call for more support from local competitors for next year?s event.