Dashing through the sun on Dawlish beach

Ten Torbay Athletic Club members were in Dawlish for the annual Dawlish Dash. Hosted by Dawlish Coasters this year, the popular race was sold out early.

The evening was bright and sunny., in contrast to last year’s stormy edition. The race starts at Dawlish Warren and the first mile is an out-and-back along the sand, and the runners were dodging sunbathers to scramble over the groynes. The sand was soft and powdery, soon testing stamina and endurance.

Once back on solid ground, the runners tracked towards Dawlish parallel to the railway line on one side with the beach and sea on the left along the sea wall. Runners then cross the railway bridge and follow the coast path back towards the Warren and the very welcome finish line. All participants were treated to a free ice cream.

Results on the day: 41 Mark Atkinson 27:33, 60 Martyn Breslan 30:11, 96 Mike Davies 34:25, 116 Sara Jane Crozier 35:41, 121 Tessa Hearfield 36:04, 132 Ian Sharrock 37:20, 133 Rachel Collins 37:32, 155 Andy Philippou 39:23, 185 Glen Hawkins 43:29, 186 Ray Brown 43:29.

The weekend before, Kirsten Mundy set off for the bridge run, running over the Oresund bridge leaving Denmark and crossing into Sweden. The race involved a 4k stretch running through a tunnel, and with the fans switched off, it was energy-sapping hot!

From under the sea, they then had a climb into a headwind to reach the top of the bridge at the 15k point. The race was tough, definitely not a PB, and to make it worse, there was a queue for the finish line! Official time was 2.40.57. This was a special event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the bridge.

Glen Hawkins, Rachel Collins and Ian Hayward enjoyed a beautiful day in North Devon taking part in the Falklands 10-mile challenge, a fundraising event organised by The Veterans Charity. A lovely route along the Tarka Trail from Instow to RMB Chivenor, finishing off with a Hockings Ice Cream

Results are in for the five Torbay Athletic Club juniors, who represented Devon Schools in the South West Schools’ Champs at the Exeter arena.

Top performer was Keeley Little in the Inter-girl sprints, completing the double by winning the 100m and 200m. 100m times heat 1st 12.06 sec, final 1st 12.21 sec, 200m final 1st 24.30 sec setting a new championship-best performance, which had stood since 2009.

In the Junior age group, Toby Moxham cruised through his heat in 2nd in 11.55 sec, a personal best that equals the club record. In the final, Toby made the podium, placing 2nd with 11.64 sec.

Adair Conlin contested the 300m, placing 6th in his heat in 39.76 sec. The only middle-distance runner in the junior girls 1500m was Annalise Little, who ran a solid race to place 4th in a new personal best time of 4:54.90. The only field eventer was Sophie Scoot in the senior girls’ high jump, placing 4th with a best of 1.55m.