With the course already waterlogged and monsoon style weather forecast for Sunday 1^st July 2007, all fingers and toes of the Kennet Kanter organising committee were firmly crossed for a prolonged period of dryish weather.  Fortunately their luck prevailed and the rain held off for the 200 runners competing in the third Kennet Kanter, Fun Run and Kiddies Kanter.

The 10 mile Trail Race and 5k Fun Run have proven popular amongst local runners and running clubs as well as runners from outside the county as the course gives a good test of all abilities whilst winding through magnificent scenery.

This year the scenery was more lush and wet than the burnt brown of last year and proved a real test for the runners resulting in the winning times being slightly slower than last year.

The Kiddies Kanter, though short in length, proved a good cross country test for the aspiring junior athlete, especially in the worst weather of the day.   Culminating in the following results:

1^st        Andrew Burleton       Bishops Cannings Primary School
2^nd       George Taplin          Chirton Primary School
3^rd        Edward Allan            Chirton Primary School

The 5k Fun Run follows the main course, providing a good experience of trail running, combining the road with the canal tow path and a few tricky grass inclines. The results were:

1^st        Catherine Russ         22:46
2^nd       Martin Matthews        22:58
3^rd        Simon Nott                 23:23

10 Mile Trail Race

As last year the Montague brothers forced the pace with Nathan Montague taking an early lead with Justin staying on his shoulder in the early parts of the race however Nathan kept pushing the pace and stayed at the front throughout the race though gamely pursued by Gary O'Brien.

The first female home was Laura Nurse from South Molton Strugglers with a very creditable 9^th place overall.

The overall results were:

Male
1^st        Nathan Montague       1:01:13
2^nd       Gary O'Brien                1:01:18
3^rd        Simon Biddell             1:03:32

Female
1^st        Laura Nurse                1:07:48
2^nd       Kate Jacobs                1:10:56
3^rd        Tamsin Simmonds   1:13:39

Team
1^st        Swindon Harriers
2^nd       B.R.A.T.
3^rd        Marlborough Running Club

Cllr Paula Winchcombe said "The Kennet Kanter is a great event for Devizes, giving all abilities and ages a chance to participate in the day - long may it continue".

The Kennet Kanter Organising Committee are extremely grateful to all the volunteer marshals who made the race a success and without whom the event could not take place, and to the local sponsors; Kennet District Council, Aquaid, G & S Fruits, Healthy Life Bistro and Oi Sambista, the Devizes Samba Band who bring the feeling of carnival to the whole event.

The chosen beneficiaries of this year's event are Devizes Opportunity Centre and The British Heart Foundation.