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Oliver Caute #193

Axmouth No Challenge For Oliver Caute

Axmouth Challenge is an approximately 10-mile, multi-terrain test of stamina and running skill from Axmouth village hall, near the world famous Seaton & District Electric Tramway in Devon. This is more a course for blisters than blistering times but the talented young Oliver Caute made light of the event with victory by almost half a mile.

The winner (pictured, #193) delighted the crowd at the finish as he runs for host club, Axe Valley Runners. The 17-year-old was recently seventh in the Devon under-20 cross country championships at Exeter and ran 16:12 for 5k and 4:19.54 for 1500m last year, while a 1:25:17 half marathon debut at Reading in 2016 hinted at his reserves of stamina.

Caute dropped down the fearsome Stepps Lane descent to finish in splendid isolation in 58:50. M40 master, Geoff Davey (Teignbridge Trotters, 1:01:32) and Duncan Staddon (Axe Valley, 1:02:28) were the nearest challengers to the flying teenager.

Karl Hodson (M50 Axe Valley, 1:06:40) and John Caswell (M60 South West RR, 1:15:02) led the higher age-group runners as Axe Valley Runners dominated the team race with seven of the top-10 finishers.

Also among the top-10 was Hannah Brown (Exmouth Harriers, 1:08:56) to win the women's race from closely matched W45 competitors Mandy Wheeler (Teignbridge Trotters, 1:10:18) and Karen Eyre (Axe Valley, 1:10:53). The best masters' result was achieved by W60 Eleanor Wood (1:14:41) running in the bright yellow vest sported by Axe Valley Runners.

A full race programme also featured a five miler, won by M60 Robert Adams (Yeovil Town RRC, 49:49) and W55 Nicola Oliver (Ilfracombe RC, 52:33), plus a three mile run led by 11-year-old Harry McMahon (Axe Valley, 25:18) and a one mile dash headed by 9-year-old Kai Martin (St Mary's RC Primary, 9:53).

All finishers in the main races were revived with hot soup and rolls as the Axmouth Challenge kicked off the East Devon Community Race Series in style for 2018.

Full results and race details at runABC South race listings.

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