HUNDREDS of entrants descended on West Somerset on Sunday for Minehead Running Club’s big event of the year, the Exmoor Stagger and Stumble.

There were 217 finishers in the Stagger, a record for recent years, with all competitors having to battle freezing fog at the top of Dunkery Beacon, strong winds, and hilly terrain, with the new route of just over 16 miles providing more than 3,000 feet of gruelling ascent.

Despite all this, the winner remained the same - James Baker from Chichester, now eight times the champion, whose time of 1.54.37 was more than five minutes faster than second-placed Tim Hawkins of Wells City Harriers.

Tom Carthey of Falmouth was third, five seconds over the two hour mark.

The ladies’ race was much closer, with Beth Pascall and Wells City Harriers Clare Prosser running within a few metres of each other for most of the race.

Beth, who runs tomorrow (Saturday) for Great Britain at the World Trail Running Championships in Portugal, was able to break away in the second half to finish in 2.07.13, coming ninth overall. Clare was second in 2.09.46 with Lin Lascelles of Maiden Newton third in 2.21.28.

Minehead Running Club had plenty of entrants, with young Luke Fieldhouse eighth in 2.06.48.

Chris Spink ran a magnificent race for 41st in 2.26.05, with an below-par Matthew Bowden five places behind in 2.28.44.

Nic Pettit was second MV65 in 2.50.23, and Beth’s father Charlie was 115th in 2.52.50, ahead of his wife Emma who despite a nasty fall finished 144th in 3.03.53, a second ahead of another daughter, Fiona.

Jackie Evans was 151st in 3.08.36 and Sophie Cross 167th in 3.20.49, half a minute ahead of Victoria Fieldhouse, and Andrew Whitely rounded out the Minehead contingent with 185th place in 3.28.39.

The little brother of the Stagger, the Stumble, was also well attended with 93 finishers.

Taking in the first three and last three miles of the Stagger course for an approximate 10k, there was still more than 1,000 feet of ascent on the new route for 2016.

Lance Nortcliff of Reading Road Runners was the clear winner in 40.04, with the battle for second place being won by Stuart Creech in 43.48, a second ahead of Minehead Running Club’s Sam Hatfield.

First lady hime was Langport Runners’ Rachel Astington in 47.49, with Joanna Carrit of Running Forever second in 50.42, followed by Emma James-Sherman two seconds further back.

For the home club, there were fine performances from Janet Hewlett, 24th in 56.27, Kevin Garner, 31st in 58.51, Jim Brant, 38th in 60.25, Liz Eele, 62nd in 68.53, Alistair Lang, 68th in 71.43, and Emmi Coombes, 82nd in 77.01.

Minehead Running Club expressed thanks to all landowners who allowed access to their fields and paths, West Somerset College and 1610 for use of their facilities, and especially all the volunteers who helped out on the day or beforehand.