It was record heat and a record turnout for the annual Forde Abbey 10k.
The tone was set early with a record number of people signing up for pre-entry registration, but with more people turning up on the day that number rose to around 270.
The heat proved to be a challenge for event organisers, Chard Roadrunners.
Simon Hall, from the group, said: “It is a challenge for hydration. We did open the race up to people to run with their dogs, but I am glad that common sense has prevailed and nobody has chosen to, because it is too hot.”
Owen Astington from the team Running For Time came in first place at 41 minutes and 24 seconds.
Kate Drew of the Taunton Athletic Club was the first placed female with a time of 47 minutes and 54 seconds.
Before the race started, Simon added: “It would surprise me if we don’t get a new course record because it is so dry, and last year was so wet.
“We have had lots of good support from farmers to let us put this on, and from the Kennards of Forde Abbey.”
Owen Astington
The event supported the charity Hope for Children, as Simon’s daughter Lorena is set to take on a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.
In return, she helped by providing volunteer marshals for the run, working alongside members of Chard Roadrunners.
This is the club’s biggest event of the year, following from the Chard Flyer on New Year’s Day and the Wambrook Waddle in May.
This year’s Forde Abbey race also featured a free-to-enter 1500m junior race.
There was a record number of people taking part in that too, up from around 100 to 116.
Simon added: “We made the entry for the junior race free this year, so the adult race is effectively subsidising it.
“It is always nice to work with schools. We had the Mr Whirly ice cream van here too, and that has proved popular.
“Children have come from as far as Burnham-on-Sea.”
Rocco Sughayer
The overall winner of the junior race was Rocco Sughayer, with the first placed girl being Darcie Cockburn.
The second male junior runner was George Chapman followed by Edward Sherman, while the second placed girl was Kendra Druce followed by Alice Shepherd.
The winning junior team was Gold Star Runners.
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