The superb Dartmoor Discovery is affectionately known as “The DD” and has been organised by Teignbridge Trotters since 2011; not just any ultra marathon, it is the UK's longest single-lap road ultra marathon.

The race started in Princetown Visitor Centre and finished 32 miles and 899 yards later at the Princetown Community Centre after taking in many ups and downs on some of the toughest hills on Dartmoor - amazingly there was over 3,700 feet of elevation gain.

On one of the hottest days of the year, five Exmouth Harriers joined 150 runners from around the UK on the start line at 9.30am.

Adrian Vanstone was the first Harrier to finish in 63rd place in a fantastic time of 5.31.14, he was the 2nd M60 to finish and was awarded his trophy by Steve Edwards, an Ultra Marathon legend who is aiming by the end of 2023 to complete a world record total of 1,000 Marathons in an amazing average time of 3 hours 30 minutes (he’s currently on 965 marathons). Adrian said afterwards: “The hills were brutal, it was warm but there was a stiff breeze, I’m really chuffed as, at 62 years-old, it was my first ever running prize.”

Kelly Thomas had a marvellous run and was the next Harrier to finish in 5.32.00, 13 minutes faster than her time in 2022.

Chris Murrin was pleased to finish his 117th Marathon with an overall DD time of 5.49.47, he said: “It was a tough day - what with the heat and I’ve raced many miles recently in preparation for my 1st 100 mile race on the Jurassic Coast on June 24/25.”

Despite a recent injury, Terry McKie’s finishing time of 6.14.31 was three minutes faster than his time in 2022. Anthony Lees finished in 6.53.34, running the DD for the first time. Anthony said: “It was my most painful event so far.”

Congratulations to all five Harriers: 63rd Adrian Vanstone 5.31.14 (2nd M60); 76th Kelly Thomas 5.39.00 (8th W45); 86th Chris Murrin 5.49.47 (4th M55); 112th Terry McKie 6.14.31 (14th M50); 145th Anthony Lees 6.53.34 (23rd M45).