2nd March 2012

HINTON ST GEORGE: Glorious day to slay the dragon

By Marion Draper

A MISTY start turned into bright sunshine for the runners taking part in fourth 4th annual Slay The Dragon run at Hinton St George.

The race was organised by Pip Loder and the Hinton St George Primary School Parent Friends Association with help from Crewkerne Running Club.

For the first time headteacher of the school, David Carter, took part in the race. Mr Carter has recently lost four stones by sensible eating and exercise and set a fantastic example to his pupils by tackling the full 10K gruelling course. There was a sweepstake on his time, with anything over 80:50 seeing all the money going to PFA funds. Last but definitely not least, Mr Carter cheerfully crossed the line at 90:21 cheered home by all the children.

The race has three parts, the Dragon Slayer 10K and the Dragons Tail 4K left together, with the shorter race runners peeling off and turning back to the start at St George’s Hall. The fun run was a 2K romp with parents and children of all ages running together.

Luke Simon from locally-based charity, the Piers Simon Appeal, was raising awareness for the “School in a Bag” backpacks that the charity distributes to children in disaster stricken areas of the world, where often all hope of educational supplies have been lost.

Running numbers were up again this year and many were using it as a warm up for the new Yeovil half marathon which will be held on Sunday, March 25th.

Junior triathlete Carl Still from Misterton upheld his title for the Dragon’s Tail although slightly slower at 14:51 with another local lad, Dougal Glaisher from Purtington taking second and Wells runner James Williams in third. Carl’s sister Sasha was the first girl at 20:32.

Dragon Slayer was Iain Payne from Street at 37:52 with Chris Ray from Taunton in second with 38:13 and Crewkerne Running Club’s Nick Sale in third at 39:32. First woman home was Lynn Hutchings from Wimborne, coming home at 45:10, local girl Annie Taylor from Norton Sub Hamdon taking second at 48:16 and Yeovil runner Kirsty Norman in third with 48:32.

Fun runners Alex Williams 12, Alan Flechon, 10, and nine year old Hannah Sheridan,were the first three home. The school trophy went to Haselbury Plucknett Primary. For most the results were really immaterial, with the excitement of taking part and the great family atmosphere being the highlight of their day.

PICTURE 1: TAIL GIRL - Sascha Still, first girl in the 4K

PICTURE 2: FIRST OUT FIRST BACK - The Dragon’s Tail winners Dougal Glaisher (2nd), James Williams(3rd) and Carl Still (1st) heading off

PICTURE 3: FUN WINNERS - Fun runners Alex Williams, Alan Flechon and Hannah Sheridan

PICTURE 4: DRAGON SLAYERS - Nick Sale (3rd), Iain Payne (1st) and Chris Ray (2nd)

PICTURE 5: FIRST LADIES - Kirsty Norman (3rd) Annie Taylor (2nd) and Lynn Hutchings (1st)