DREADFUL weather didn't dampen the spirits of the runners in this year's Beacon to Beach Fun Run on Sunday.

Last year's entry of 260 runners including 32 relay teams was topped, with 294 runners including 44 relay teams.

Knights Templar School produced nine children's teams and Dunster School entered six children's and six adult teams.

To avoid a newly timetabled train, the start of the run was delayed by ten minutes and this proved perfect timing as leader Paul Govier crossed the railway line a split second after the train had passed.

The profit this year was some £900 and will go towards buying equipment and resources for the various clubs and activities enjoyed by the students at the college. Various charities will also benefit from the use of the sponsor form attached to the entry form.

The fancy dress prize was shared between Roger and Denise Clark, drressed as 'robbers', and Bob Mullis and Will Parfitt, dressed in 'drag'.

The organisers, the college's Support Group, thanked Minehead Police who helped and advised throughout the preparations and saw the runners safely across the busy Seaward Way, St John Ambulance, Doug Beaver for his mini marquees, Chris Corbett of the Hairy Dog for sponsoring the T-shirts, Graham Lawrence of Fancies for the prizes for the fancy dress competition, West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre for the use of its facilities, Minehead Running Club for their help and loan of equipment, Roger miles for setting up the PA system every year since the Beacon to Beach started, marshals and all who helped and took part.

There are still a few T-shirts left at £5 each and certificates not yet collected can be picked up from the college reception.

RESULTS

Male, 1 Paul Govier (34.32), 2 David Farmer (36.24), 3 Anthony Weaver (37.23); female, 1 Louise Pugsley (47.08), 2 Rosalind Willicombe (51.17), 3 Karen Shoots (52.07).

Male over 45, 1 Ricky Lewis (37.33), Graham Sizer (40.04), Trevor Van Reenen (42.42); female over 40, 1 Elizabeth Fox (53.32), 2 Wendy Poole (54.59), 3 Anne Dyer (55.48).

Youth 13-16 male, 1 Matthew Sully (38.55), 2 Michael Auton (39.55), 3 Harry Pascall (43.05); youth 13-16 female, 1 Lucie Barney (54.17), 2 Romana Horstmann (54.20), 3 Emily Ahern (57.24).

Junior boy middle school, 1 Ross Fitzgerald (44.15), 2 Luke Milton (45.36), 3 Jamie Perkins (49.22); junior girl middle school, 1 Joanne Leighton (59.33).

First school relay, equal 1, Taunton Prep School (Eliot Corbett, Edward Gould, Daniel Batten, Tanya Batten, 50.32) and Knights Templar Tigers (Max Smith, Michael Hutchinson, Nicky Davey, Stephen Minter); 2 St Michael's (James Greatorex, Paul Smyth, Ben Eagle, Calum Buchanan, 51.03); 3 Knights Templar Jaguars (Scott Langdon, Ryan Strong, Myles Jones, Dominic Bowden, 52.10).

Middle school relay, 1 Edward Barney, Robert Webber, Tom Paskin Robbins, Jamie Quenault, 41.45), 2 James Miles, Jason Strong, Aaron Deeks, Darren Gamblin, 46.57), 3 Beth Pascall, Alison Watson, Tessa Rosling, Amy Lewis, 47.07).

Adult relay: 1 Williton Young Farmers (Nick Jones, Tom Baker, Keith Richards, Stephen Bosley, 40.14); 2 The Doctors (Sylvia Watson, Emma Pascall, Denise Strong, Martin Strong, 50.35); 3 Dunster Falcons (Mike Flatley, Andy Fullerton, Peter Hoyland, Angie Spence (56.08).