FOLLOWING their success in the Taunton 10k, several Taunton AC team members have been facing different racing challenges.

In the River Parrett Trail - consisting of 48 off road miles split into six legs - Keith Paul, running with a local Hash team, ran the last and allegedly hardest leg of 8.6 miles in a time of 1hr 10mins.

In the Exmoor Stumble 17-year-old Danny Doyle ran his heart out over a tough, six mile off-road race, finishing 11th in 58m 4s. Annie Lillycrop, not to be outdone, picked up the FV40 prize in 1hr 11m 49s, two minutes quicker than last year.

Keith Paul and Sharron Kington ventured to the ‘Big Smoke’ for the Cabbage Patch 10. The fast, flat road race across the city in a very large field proved quite an experience. They finished in 1hr 4m and 1hr 22m respectively.

Paul also took part in the flat Bushy Park run near Hampton Court Palace and finished an excellent was 23rd in a field of 911.

The Ilminster 10k at the weekend saw a hardy group of runners tackling a very wet and soggy course. A strong team of men all finished in the top 50, with two prize winners among them.

Alex Rogers was the club’s first runner home in fourth, winning the junior category in 37m 12s. He was followed by Julian Ridgway (38m 2s) and Keith Paul (39m 4s).

Martin Bluemels, in his first race for the club, timed in 42m 13s and came second in V50 category while Mark Jones finished in 43m 51s.

Following them home were Sharron Kington (51m 17s) and Suzi Griffiths (1hr 5m 35s).