Torbay athlete conquers Dartmoor with a hellish Haytor run

Tessa Hearfield from Torbay Amateur Athletics Club had a good run at the Haytor Heller, finishing as the 1st F65, in 1:15:09.

This popular, well established moorland race, now in its 39th year, starts below Haytor Rock and follows a hilly, single lap route before returning once again to Haytor Rock with a fast downhill scamper to the finish opposite the middle car park at Haytor.

The course is approximately six miles and is challenging, with several steep ascents and descents and is generally run across rugged, open moorland (apart from two sections through woodland; firstly below Hound Tor and secondly below Haytor) and includes a stream crossing.

Anita Merritt was running another Ultra Marathon in a series of events that have taken place this year. Most recently, she ran Purple Gecko Events Saints Way, starting in Padstow and finishing in Fowey, a 28-mile challenge.

Anita finished in six hours and 20 minutes later (PB by 22 minutes), 14th out of 50 females and first in her age category and to top a great day, she finished first female for the Saints and Smugglers challenge series.

Charlotte Allen also completed the challenge in 7 hours 9 minutes - PB by 1 hour 1 minute, along with Celine Bonnet, who completed The Saints Way as her first Ultra Marathon in a time of 8hrs 26mins. Gemma Radcliffe also took on this ultra as part of the volunteer crew as tail runner.

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On a warm Tuesday evening, 11 athletes from Torbay AAC gathered at Exwick for the final race of the Run Exe 5k series. The sun hung a little lower in the sky and the trees were tinged with the first hues of autumnal golds and reds.

The 5k series is a popular feature for clubs across the region, offering friendly and competitive summer races, a chance to see friends from across the counties and test the legs.

The race didn’t disappoint with a field of 195 and some blistering times. Theo Glew secured fourth place overall in this final race of the season and a series first place MU17. Annalise Little won her U13 age category in the series and Ella Richards was first place series winner U15.

Pete Henderson ran a solid race as the first senior club athlete to cross the line and secure a hard fought sub-20 result of 19:51.

Results on the day (chip times): 4 Theo Glew 16:03, 41 Leon Snell 18:05, 44 Isaac Hammond 18:14, 55 Annalise Little 18:37, 70 Ella Richards 19:41, 77 Peter Henderson 19:51, 101 Nick Robinson 20:57, 110 Mark Atkinson 21:22, 113 Anthony Raine 21:28, 156 Nadine Lee 24:39, 161 Sara Crozier 25:48.