HATHERLEIGH'S tar barrel half marathon last Saturday went off far better than expected — it was estimated that more than last year's total of £900 would have been raised from sponsorship to keep the event going.

Not only did the 22 strong team, including one girl, pull the barrels the full distance easily, but they also took an unexpected executive decision to divert to the Duke of York in Iddesleigh for further refreshments on the way home.

That decision added some two miles to the route — taking total pulling distance to about 15 miles.

Tar barrel chairman Mark Reddaway thanked the two official stopping points: Winkleigh Cider, who pulled out the red carpet to meet them and supplied pullers and support crew with Sam's Cider to keep things moving smoothly on the remaining 500 metres to Winkleigh Square; and in Winkleigh the Seven Stars, who provided the hospitality, with roast pork buns and chips to replenish lost energies.

During the two hour stay in Winkleigh, forfeits were paid by pullers who fell short of expectations, for example by riding on the support trailer. There was also a competition to guess the number of steps taken to reach Winkleigh, as measured by a counter worn by one puller, the winning total being 16,073.

Mark said: 'It was a brilliant result and we'd like to thank our many sponsors who backed us, also the car drivers who had to patiently wait in laybys while we passed by along narrow lanes.'

The team arrived back in Hatherleigh shortly after 8pm, with people coming out into the streets to welcome the pullers home as bell ringer Laura Reddaway led the team home down Market Street.

Mark said they had their sights set on bigger challenges for next year.