by MORE than 430 runners prepared for this year’s Taunton 10K race, which took place on Sunday.
The threat of rain did not materialize when the race began on September 29 and runners started in windy conditions at 11 a.m.
The 6.2 mile course, which started and finished at Blackbrook Leisure Centre, took them around Holway before heading towards Stoke St Mary and returning via Haydon.
In its 37th edition, the race is very local with two thirds of the runners coming from the Taunton area.
Taunton AC and Running Forever RC both fielded large contingents.
Dillon Millard (Taunton AC) was fastest at home with a time of 32 minutes and 43 seconds, making it a hat trick of victories – each faster than the last.
Dillon also won the men’s under-20 award on Sunday.
Dillon Millard, Taunton AC, ran the Taunton 10k in 32 minutes and 43 seconds. (Image: photo adjustment) Chard Road Runners’ Wayne Loveridge was second again, with a time of 33 minutes and 37 seconds, followed by C Squad’s Thomas Barnes with 33 minutes and 55 seconds.
Leading an impressive Taunton AC trio in the women’s event, Kirstie Booth crossed the line in 37 minutes and 20 seconds, followed by Nicole Avery in 39 minutes and 17 seconds, and Jenny Coxon who finished with a respectable time of 40 minutes and 26 seconds.
The run was organized by the Taunton Carnival Committee and hosted by Everyone Active – with all funds raised from the event going to the town’s carnival procession on October 19.
Chairman Callum Perrin said “it was another successful event”.
He said: “Registrations sold out well before the closing date and the turnout on the day was fantastic.
“We were lucky with the weather. Everyone had a great morning. The riders were very supportive and positive with their feedback.
“It’s a success because of how all the volunteers came together to make this happen. Without them, we couldn’t do it.”
