NOBODY taking part in the Exmoor Stagger — one of the South-west's most gruelling off-road races — expects to keep clean as mud is a prerequisite to the event.

But on Sunday, half an inch of rain had already fallen on the course before the 300 athletes assembled, and another half inch fell before the last participant had finished.

The first hill up Ellicombe and over Grabbist gave an indication of the severity of conditions to come. Unavoidable ankle deep mud alternated with paths which had been turned into streams.

But this didn't stem the enthusiasm as Peter Rigler from Bideford hit the top of Grabbist in an astonishing 71/2 minutes from the start at West Somerset Community College.

A quick descent through the woods towards Dunster spread the field out, the reckless and sure-footed taking advantage of the slippery conditions.

Across the fields from Aville Farm, the course climbed again towards King's Hedge Coppice and Long Combe to the East of Croydon Hill.

Well up the field at this point were locals Peter Govier and much-improved Adrian Sharp.

By half-way, climbing again towards Black Hill, the full fury of the storm was being felt, with leaden skies, low cloud and a strong north-westerly wind picking up.

Rigler was caught by Plymouth's Michael Northey and Leamington's Simon Warr as they descended towards Timberscombe, and these three by then had determined the prime positions.

At the same time Vicky Skelton from North Devon Road runners, had also forged a decisive lead in the ladies' race.

Negotiating a sea of thick mud at Nutcombe Bottom, even hardened trail runners were brought to their knees as Grabbist again loomed.

With 12 miles behind them, the three leaders were within 400 metres of each other, but once each had reached the top of Grabbist the gap had stretched to 800 metres.

Northey was able to jog the final half-mile to finish the 14.5 miles in 1 hour 38 minutes 21 seconds, an average speed of just under seven minutes a mile, a very good time given the conditions and the 2,500 feet of climbing.

Govier finished some eleven minutes later to clinch the prize of first local with Sylvain Paillard from Exford second local in 1-55.07 and Adrian Sharp third in 1-55.17.

Further down the field but still in the top 50, a battle was being waged between five more locals.

Within touching distance of each other at the top of the final incline, a sprint along the ridge above Alcombe and the plummet into Ellicombe was the last thing they wanted.

But brilliant finishing by Clive Goulty (2-01.56) put a 25 seconds gap between himself and Minehead Running Club's new face Stuart Creech, who burst past Graham Sizer in the last few metres with Bill Wallace and Trevor Van Reenan a further 15 and 30 seconds behind.

Notable times were also achieved by Minehead's Tony Slade 67th (2-07.15), Brian Small 93rd (2-13.01), Dave Berry 113th (2-16.09), John Lethaby 117th (2-17.08), Peter Parker 165th (2-26.31), Phil Taphouse 166th (2-26.32), Mike Till 198th (2-35.04), Reg Hembro 219th (2-39.39), Anne Coles 260th (2-55.46), and Anne Dyer 261st (2-55.47).

Eleven men over 60 completed the course, as did four ladies over 55.

l The Exmoor Mini-Stagger saw 23 people, young and old, competing in a 2.2 mile run that took in two steep climbs in Ellicombe and Alcombe Combe in atrocious contributions.

The pouring rain made it treacherous underfoot, but all the runners made it safely back to the finish to collect deserved medals.

Results: 1 Stephen Winzer (aged 11) 22.06; 2 Dale Higget (11) 23.01; 3 Christopher Webber (10) 23.23; 4 Norman Dewhurst (adult) 23.42; 5 Thomas Merritt (8) 23.54; 6 Adam Merritt (12) 24.14; 7 Ricky Adams (13) 26.40; 8 Ashley Small (10) 26.44; 9 Matthew Weston (10) 26.45; 10 Barbara Askew (adult) 30.06; 11 Fiona Tunbridge (adult) 30.07; 12 Liam Small (7) 30.18; 13 Judy Mapledoram (adult) 31.39; 14 Jill Norman (adult) 31.44; 15 Joshua Middleton (5) 31.58; 16 Hayley Weston (9) 33.32; 17 Bruce Weston (adult) 33.33; 18 Patrick Beverley (10) 38.30; 19 Harry Middleton (4) 39.28; 20 Jane Middleton (adult) 39.29; 21 Sam Small (5) 42.47; 22 Callie Priddle (11) 42.48; 23 Derek Chidgey (adult) 42.49.