A STRONG turnout of Teignbridge Trotters took on the ever-popular Lustleigh 10K, a race widely regarded as one of the toughest and most scenic multi-terrain events in the local running calendar.

Staged as part of the annual Lustleigh Village Show, the race offers competitors a unique combination of challenging terrain, stunning Dartmoor scenery and enthusiastic local support.

The showground was already buzzing before the start, with entertainment ranging from jazz and classical music performances to a traditional Punch and Judy show, alongside the usual displays of cakes, produce and crafts. A couple of light showers before the race added an extra challenge, leaving rocks and trails slippery underfoot for those who had opted against trail shoes.

This demanding 10K course features more than 1,000 feet of climbing, taking runners over hilly lanes, woodland trails and tracks that weave through the beautiful countryside surrounding Lustleigh. After negotiating the uneven, straw-covered fields of the showground, competitors were immediately faced with the first major climb, quickly sorting the field into runners and walkers.

A welcome downhill road section offered the chance to regain some speed before the route headed into Pullabrook Woods and alongside the River Bovey. From there, it seemed that much of the remaining route was uphill, with runners tackling a series of relentless climbs before eventually returning to the village.

Despite the challenging nature of the course, the atmosphere throughout was excellent. As they completed the race, Trotters joined spectators and fellow competitors in cheering runners home, creating a memorable finish back at the showground.

Elsewhere, Roger Easterbrook headed to Derbyshire for the popular Taddington 4 Mile, a traditional midweek village race held during Taddington's Well Dressing and Flower Festival near Bakewell.

The challenging multi-terrain course packs plenty into its four-mile distance, combining steep hills, quiet country roads, footpaths and deeply rutted farm tracks. The opening climb quickly tests the legs before runners are rewarded with panoramic views across the Peak District countryside and a fast return towards the village.

With a strong field assembled, including plenty of local club runners, Roger ran a controlled race, steadily working his way through the field as the race unfolded. Negotiating the demanding climbs and uneven terrain with confidence, he continued to pick off competitors throughout the evening to secure an excellent 5th place overall in a time of 25:06.

The performance was made even sweeter by Roger claiming first MV50 and setting a new club MV50 record for the distance.

As always, the friendly atmosphere was a highlight of the event, with enthusiastic local support lining parts of the course and plenty of runners staying behind to enjoy the post-race celebrations. Roger reports that a high-quality £4 cheeseburger topped with a generous slab of cheddar was a memorable part of the evening and excellent value for money.