THEY say the sun shines on the righteous and that was certainly true on Sunday when the 35th annual Beacon to Beach Fun Run was blessed with glorious weather.

The heat did not deter last year's winner Stuart Creech who repeated his performance by being first home in a time of 38.41, just two seconds slower than last year.

Just 55 seconds behind in second place was James Browning, with Russell Cowling repeating his third position of last year.

Fourth place went to Martin Shoots in 42.17, who was also the first male over 45 home, and fifth place went to Adam Fieldhouse in 42.28, who was the first male under 17 across the line.

Second male under 17 was Ryan Godley followed by Toby Morris, while in the male over 45 category Lee Clarke was runner-up with Adrian Virgin third.

First female to finish was Faye Sizer in a time of 48.36 and 27th overall, with Linda Todd second in a time of 50.12, followed closely just seconds behind by Lindsay Gable.

Janet Hewlett made it a hat-trick of victories in the female over 40 category in a time of 49.14 and was second female and 32nd overall, with Sally Horrobin second and Jo Pye third.

Gemma Chilcott, who was running the full distance for the first time, was first female under 17 followed by Sophie Hart and Emily Hayes.

In the male over 55 category, Taffy Long looks invincible as he also retained this trophy for the third year in a row in a time of 43.58 finishing almost five minutes ahead of his nearest rivals Ricky Lewis and Nigel Ridler.

Victoria Fieldhouse was first female over 50 followed by Margaret Greatorex and a further four seconds behind was Anne Harrison in third place.

In the first school relay, Minehead First School Team One - Charlie Purkis, Oliver Ferris, James Godfrey and Liam Scovell - finished in 52.08 one minute ahead of St Michael's Pumas with Dunster First School Flyers in third.

The middle school relay saw Minehead Youth Football Club - Robert Vickers, Callum Barnfield, Harry David and Daniel Vickers - go one place better than last year to be first home in a time of 46.56 with Wiveliscombe A and B Teams following in second and third place.

Minehead Youth Football Club completed the double when their older team of Abbie Vickers, Luke Heath, Sam Heath and Lucy Heath winning the adult relay.

Dunster Hopefuls were runners-up and 1610 Running for Fun group lived up to their name to come in third.

Earlier in the morning 25 walkers had set out an hour earlier than the runners so they could take in the scenery at a more leisurely pace and finish at a similar time at the new Minehead Cricket Club pavilion at the West Somerset Community College.

There they were greeted by many spectators and were able to enjoy the cricket club bar along with a barbecue organised by CLOWNS, as well as local Styles Ice Cream and bouncy castles.

The event, which was the tenth organised by Minehead Rotary Club, followed a seven miles course from Hurlstone Point Car Park over Selworthy Beacon along North Hill down to Culvercliffe and along the sea front to the finish at the college grounds.

Proceeds from the event will go towards projects at the West Somerset Community College, CLOWNS and other charities supported by rotary, including those benefiting from sponsorship raised by participants for their favoured charities.

Among them were Sally Horrobin and Clare Walsh, of Minehead, who raised more than £315 in aid of the Hope Centre and family charity HomeStart.

The centre provides support for local people who are homeless, disadvantaged or simply encountering problems in their lives.

"We are so grateful to everyone who sponsored us, it was such a great incentive to keep going in the heat and will make a real difference to people within our community," Clare said.

Organisers from the Rotary Club of Minehead and the Quantocks thanked the marshals and helpers, as well as sponsors for making the event a success.

Results inside the Free Press.