SUNDAY saw Minehead Running Club’s main race of the year as nearly 300 runners tackled the Exmoor Stagger and Stumble.

The main Stagger is just over 16 miles, taking in three major ascents including Dunkery Beacon, and with more than 3,000 feet of ascent and descent, it showcases some of West Somerset’s finest countryside.

Despite Storm Brian bringing strong winds to the elevated areas of the route, the weather was fine in the main.

Although the course was changed this year, taking the runners up Dunkery in a clockwise direction for a seemingly ceaseless climb and exhilarating return, the victor was unchanged as James Baker of Chichester Runners won for the ninth time.

His time of 1.54.39 was almost eight minutes ahead of runner-up Michal Lesniak of South Molton Strugglers, with Tiverton Harrier Kevin Squibb ten seconds further behind in third place.

Mary Menon of Ilfracombe Running Club has had a stellar year with victories all over the South West, and she continued her wonderful form to finish first lady in 2.08.24 - tenth overall and almost five minutes ahead of second lady Bristol’s Lucy MacAlister (15th overall) with Jane Faram of Southville RC third in 2.25.16.

The first local over the line, Minehead Running Club member Will Tennant ran superbly on his first attempt at a course of the Stagger’s length and severity ran a superb race to come 28th in 2.20.22.

Stuart Creech was the next club member home, 69th in 2.38.54, and Jo Taphouse, also in her first Stagger, was 80th in 2.43.02.

Kat Tilley came in just under three hours, 115th in 2.57.58, Charlie Pascall was first male over 65 in 3.00.32, and Kevin Garner was 138th in 3.07.08.

Jackie Evans was 143rd in 3.09.28, with Jayne Chanter one place and 16 seconds further back, Lee Cowling was 172nd in 3.28.47 and Vicky Fieldhouse 176th in 3.30.39.  Of other local runners, Minehead’s Martin Shoots was 40th in 2.25.37, Tom Rivett of Exmoor Tri Club 45th in 2.27.58 and local artist Leo Davey 103rd in 2.52.51.

Taking place alongside the Stagger but by no means an easy option was the Exmoor Stumble, run over the first and last three miles of the Stagger with over 1000 feet of climbing and a rapid final two miles down from Grabbist.

The one-two of July’s Beacon to Beach Fun Run was repeated as Ben Tull of Minehead Running Club beat James Browning, Ben finishing in 40.12 and James in 42.07.

Max Dunford from St David’s College completed the top three in 43.32.

Verity Elston was another local winner as she was first lady home in 50.56, with Sarah May second in 52.04 and Eloise Pittwood third in 52.42, all three coming in the overall top 15.

Minehead Running Club’s Matthew Bowden was sixth in 44.15, Danny Doyle ninth in 48.44, and Jo Cody-Boutcher 18th and third senior female in 53.13.

Michaela Spitzer came 23rd in 54.21, Helen Wilkes 27th and first female over 45 in 55.22, Jan Wildenhain 30th in 55.40, Nic Pettitt 33rd in 56.56, Michelle Holroyd 36th in 57.36, Simon See 40th in 58.18 and Jennie Norris one place behind in 59.19.

Donna Hooper was three seconds over the hour in 44th place, with Jim Brant 56th in 62.47, Jasmine Wilford 59th in 63.15, Kat Stenner 67th in 66.34 and Sam Lennon one place and nine seconds behind.

Ben Tull’s mother Sharon was 74th in 68.58 with Jane Deary 30 seconds behind in 75th, and Emmi Coombes was 95th in 77.22.

Trophies were presented by Paul and Donna Stevens, founders of the Watchet-based Elliot’s Touch, the running club’s RC’s charity of the year. Paul ran the Stumble and finished 31st in 56.09.

The club expressed thanks to all volunteers on the day, in particular those marshalling on the more exposed areas of the moor, without who the race couldn’t go ahead, the caterers, West Somerset College for providing the race HQ, and landowners over whose land runners were allowed to pass.

Full race results are available at www.mineheadrunningclub.co.uk.