THE 'Exe to Axe', hosted by Sidmouth Running Club, was a really tough challenge for Okehampton Running Club members competing against fellow runners from all parts of the country taking part. Conditions were good with bright sunshine and blue skies.

Starting at Exmouth and following the coastal path to Seaton, a distance of 20 miles, runners had more than 5,000 feet to climb – not one for the fainthearted!

ORC's Karen and Lucy Skye revel in this type of event – they both completed the Grizzly, another really tough 20 miler, only last month. Karen finished in 3 hours 48 minutes 50 seconds, an excellent time especially as she got lost and covered an extra two miles, while Lucy came in at 4.11.29.

In the Five Tors Moorland Race, Cornwall's only fell race, runners started at Minions near Liskeard. Organized by East Cornwall Harriers the race part of the Cornish Multi-Terrain Grand Prix and attracted a record entry of 248 runners including entries from as far away as Yorkshire.

The race was run in an icy wind over a new, shortened, but still difficult route.

Ben Bowler was the first from Okehampton Running Club over the line, cruising in at 1.10.39 followed by his wife, Jo in 1.18.04, then Mags Jarvis in 1.28.35. Steve Gentle made a return to his former club but injured his ankle badly early in the race and had to withdraw.