FIVE Haldon Trail Runners were in action at the weekend, racing close to home and also much further afield.

Three club members took part in the Smugglers Way ultra marathon on Sunday, April 27. The route saw runners cover 58km going coast-to-coast across Cornwall - from Boscastle in the north to the finish at Looe, taking in Bodmin Moor, various tors, woods and valleys.

Tom Charton-Bowern finished 24th in 8:22.22, with Alice Stuckey 33rd in 8:59.57 and Jonathan Armes just behind in 34th in 9:00.02.

Cat Matthews travelled to Iceland for the Reykjavik Spring Half Marathon, which was held in stunning conditions.

She finished in a time of 2:17 and was the 70th lady to cross the line.

Meanwhile, Anthea Board put her injury problems to one side as she took on the virtual London Marathon as she headed out locally, finishing in a time of 4:49.11.

Earlier in the month, as the club celebrated its 15th anniversary, two of its newer members, Andy Radford and Ben Wright, did the Beltane Brightfire Trails 10k race at Fingle Bridge in the Teign Valley on Saturday, April 12. Andy finished seventh overall and first male over-50 in 1:14.25, with Ben 11th in 1:19.33.

Val Blacklock did the Paris Marathon on Sunday, April 13 and crossed the line in 4:34.13.

Meanwhile, there are just over 10 weeks until the Forest Flyer race, which is organised by Haldon Trail Runners.

The approximately five-mile race on some of the main trails in Haldon Forest Park, takes place on Saturday, July 12, with a 6pm start. Entries close at 6pm on Thursday, July 10.

All finishers will receive a memento, with prizes up for grabs for the first three men, first three women and the age category winners - male and female over 40, 50, 60 and 70.

Visit www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15279 to enter.