South Devon AC duo conquer City to Sea marathon

The course takes runners from the centre of Exeter to Babbacombe Downs. Its first sections down the Exe Estuary and along the sea wall from Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth are largely flat.

But the hard work really starts after Shaldon, where the coast path climbs and descends constantly until the triumphant finish on the Downs.

Shaun Kirk completed the race 46th overall in 5h 15m 24s, while Neil Jordain was 100th in 6h 38m. There were 175 finishers in the marathon, and another 105 runners in the half-marathon which started from Dawlish Warren and picked up the second half of the marathon route.

South Devon AC-registered runner Steve Hookins came fourth in the half, recording a time of 2h 30m 08s.

The Lustleigh Carnival Race the previous weekend formed South Devon’s off-road club championship race as well as being the latest round in its season-long Grand Prix series.

Kevin Ashworth was 30th overall and second in the Vet 50 class, followed home by clubmates Rob Foster, Shaun Kirk, James Nash, Laura Ashworth, Mark Holman and Rober Webb.