THIS year’s Crediton Crunch 10-kilometre race has raised almost £3,500 for charity. 

Representatives for Hospiscare and Age Concern received cheques for £1,739 each from money raised through runners’ entry fees at event sponsor Ernest Jackson’s offices in Crediton on Friday, August 9. 

L to R Lee Cusick of South West Road Runners, David Walter and Becky Warren of Ernest Jackson, Ellie Melmoth of Hospiscare, Julie Box of Crediton Running Network
L to R: Lee Cusick of South West Road Runners, David Walter and Becky Warren of Ernest Jackson, Ellie Melmoth of Hospiscare, Julie Box of Crediton Running Network (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Organised by the South West Road Runners, the Crediton Crunch race took place on Sunday, May 5 and saw as many as 180 people from across the region and further afield take part. 

Runners at start line of Crediton Crunch 10km. WG 14
Runners at start line of Crediton Crunch (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Age Concern Crediton Operations Manager Chelsea Yelland described the donation as "amazing". 

"It means so much. It enables us to reach our community better," she said. 

"We support over-50s so it will make such a difference to them. 

"We have a community club that runs a couple days a week, so [the money] will be going towards the running of that.  

"We also have a befriending service where we go out and visit people in the community who are vulnerable, so it will go towards the running costs of that as well, and then we're looking at possible day trips." 

Hospiscare Partnerships Manager Ellie Melmoth told the Courier it has been a "really difficult" 12 months for the charity as it faces a £2.5 million deficit and has been forced to cut costs. 

"We rely heavily on our business and our community to support us," she said. 

"We want to make sure that we can be there for everybody that needs us in the future.  

"We can only do that by the incredible people... and local businesses who genuinely hold us dear because they know that we look after the people that work for them and the families of the people that work for them." 

The winner of the multi-terrain Crediton Crunch this year was 21-year-old former Queen Elizabeth’s School student Michael Lambourne of the City of York Athletics Club. He finished the 10 kilometres in 40 minutes flat. 

Michael Lambourne was first to finish. WG 17
QE alumnus Michael Lambourne was first to finish (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

The first woman to finish was 41-year-old Ellie Debenham of the South West Road Runners, with a time of 47 minutes and 30 seconds.  

Ellie Debenham was the first female to finish. WG 18
Ellie Debenham was the first female to finish (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Lee Cusick of the South West Road Runners said: "We were very pleased with how [the Crediton Crunch] went.  

"It all went without a hitch, everyone seemed to enjoy the race, the weather was great on the day. 

"We've had some really great support from Ernest Jackson, in helping us achieve our aim which was to raise some money for some great charities." 

The Crediton Running Network provided marshalling support around the course, which began and ended at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre. 

The 1st Crediton Scouts provided the runners with refreshments when they finished. 

1st Crediton Scout Group provided refreshments. WG 19
1st Crediton Scout Group provided refreshments (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

Ernest Jackson, alongside sponsoring the event, gave medals and goody bags to every participant, and also provided the trophies. 

A healthcare company which produces medicated confectionery, vitamin pastilles and other products, Ernest Jackson has been in Crediton for more than 200 years and employs more than 150 people across two sites in the town. 

It is also a member of the Mondelēz International family of companies.