SO FAR, THE WOMEN ‘S RUNNING RACE SERIES 2017 HAS COINCIDED WITH SOME OF THE HOTTEST WEATHER OF THE YEAR. RUNNERS IN EXETER, MILTON KEYNES AND NOTTINGHAM STAYED COOL TO RECORD SOME BRILLIANT RACE FINISHES, THOUGH!

PHOTOS: AWOL PHOTOGRAPHY

EXETER

The Series returned to Exeter’s Piazza Terracina, right on the waterfront, for the second year on 25 June. As runners filtered in to the busy race village, the temperature was already on the rise – extra water (from our hydration partner Saka) was out on the course ready for what looked set to be a scorching day.

After a rousing warm-up from the team at Snap Fitness, the 5K runners set out on their one-lap course, along the River Exe and the canal and into the Riverside Park. The 10K runners set off six minutes later, accompanied by the dedicated team of pacers. Despite maintenance works going on around the course, leading to some pinch points, the expert marshalling and staggered start times meant there were no problems. The course is exposed in places so – as expected – it became really hot, but the extra water laid on meant that everyone was able to complete the run, and – as always – the last few runners were cheered on as loudly as the first! Home first in the 5K was Emma Dooney in 24mins 19secs; in second place was Helen McPhee in 24mins 37secs; followed by Monika Richards in 24mins 46secs. In the 10K, Nicky Savill came home in an incredible 41mins 16secs, clear of second-placed Rachel Marshall in 46mins 14secs and third-placed Sara Robins in 47mins 47secs.