MINEHEAD Running Club hosted the annual Seaview 17 run on Sunday, taking in almost 21 miles of the South West Coast Path from Countisbury Hill to Minehead Cricket Club.

The weather was dry and sunny with temperatures manageable in the wooded parts of the course but soaring in the open expanses of the second half of the course.

The run included two major climbs - a tough ascent to County Gate and a haul up Hurlstone Combe.

The event is part of the running club’s fundraising efforts for the year, with this year’s recipients being the Seahorse Centre in Minehead.

The run was closer than it has been for years, with Kieron Summers first home in 2.39.30, not far off the course record.

Andy Dunn was just 16 seconds further back, eight minutes ahead of third-placed Alex Peyton-Jones in 2.47.56.

Last year’s overall winner Clare Prosser was first lady in fourth place (2.49.41) with Ami Yetton second in 3.12.17, while young Kate Drew of Taunton AC was third in 3.24.35.

There was a real battle for the first local man, with James Browning (2.53.14) just pipping Stuart Weaver (2.55.55) for seventh place.

Minehead Running Club had two entrants, with Matthew Bowden wilting in the heat to finish in 3.28.59 and Nic Pettit surviving a fall in the technical first section to complete in 3.41.20.

There were 120 finishers.

The running club expressed thanks to all twho helped on the day to man the much-needed water stations, prepare food for the runners at the end, and provide encouragement for what is a very tough run.

They also thanked landowners whose footpaths were used, Minehead Hospital for allowing use of their parking, the Blue Ball at Countisbury for the use of their toilets at the start and Minehead Cricket Club for providing showers and drinks at the finish.

And there was a very special thank you for Fred Hagan, who has been director for the Seaview 17 since its inception but has now retired from the post.

l Minehead Running Club member Lee Cowling ran the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday July 17 in one hour 48 minutes and 23 seconds.

Veteran John Lethaby ran his third 10k race since a hip operation, at Martock, and finished in 71 minutes.