EXMOUTH Harriers retained the Erme Valley Relays title with a powerful display at Ivybridge on Friday evening.

They saw off a tough challenge from South West Road Runners, host club Erme Valley, Axe Valley and Plymouth Harriers in the popular event, which saw 121 teams finish.

Exmouth, with all four of their runners clocking between 12.44 minutes and 13.45 minutes for the approximately two-and-a-half mile course, finished in 52.47 minutes.

South West Road Runners A came second in 53.32 minutes, with Erme Valley enjoying a long-awaited medal placing taking third in 53.53. It was the first time since 2010 the club’s men’s team had claimed a top three placing.

Erme Valley were boosted by the return of youngsters Owen Parkin and Will Battershill from university for the summer.

Parkin, who is studying at St Mary’s University in London, ran the first leg and clocked 12.51 minutes, with Harvard student Battershill, who is preparing for this month’s European Junior Championships in Italy, taking over the second leg and clocking 12.34.

Chris Prall and Andrew Perry made up the remainder of Erme Valley’s team.

Jake Smith ran the fastest leg

Fourth place went to Axe Valley Runners, who were brought home by Great Britain mountain running international Jake Smith in a time of 54.00 minutes.

Devon 5,000 champion Smith clocked the fastest leg of the event, just edging out Battershill, with a 12.27 run.

Fifth team home were the Plymouth Harriers quartet of Steve Fletcher, Tom Humphrey, Alex Peyton-Jones and Jordan Andrews.

Andrews ran their fastest leg, clocking 12.53. He was one of just eight runners to go under 13 minutes.

The women’s competition was won by Tiverton Harriers, who clocked 63.47 minutes, with Newton Abbot taking second in 67.45 and East Cornwall Harriers’ The Young &  Breathless taking third place in 68.34.

Tavistock won the under-18 title with good runs from Will Russell, Dan Luckham, Joe Dix and Olly Woodmason.

Full results can be found HERE