Race one of this year's OSA Recruitment All Terrain Challenge started in blazing sunshine on the roads at Pleinmont. The undulating course consisting of two laps out to the Fairy Ring from Portelet is deceptively hilly, although it is also one of the easier races of the week.

Steve Dawes stamped his authority on the 4km race from the start and ran away from the field to win by nearly one minute, but behind him podium places were hotly contested, with previous winner Mark Mercier finishing second and David Crosland having one of his best ever races to finish third.

As expected Martine Scholes dominated the womens race, finishing 7th overall, whilst behind her Sarah Mercier and Gail Merrien completed the top three.

Steve Dawes continued his domination of this years OSA Recruitment All Terrain Challenge, with an almost two minute win in the second race, the 8k cliff path run.Over a course which is probably the toughest of the week, including two giant climbs from Moulin Huet to Bon Port and from Saints Harbour to Icart, a total of 600 steps. His strength and fitness really showed as he powered to victory taking most of the gap in the second half of the course.

Byond him a close race for the minor honours saw Mark Mercier again finish second, but only by 6 seconds from former winner Dave Dyke, who found the course much to his liking as he moved up to third overall.

Martine Scholes continued her domination of the women's event finishing 8th overall and 3 1/2 minutes in front of Sarah Mercier.

Adam Dorey had another consistent run to lead Division 2, whilst Gordon Mercier leads group 3 and All Terrain Challenge new comer Tina Coutanche leads group 4.

Race 3 800m Cliff TT

Mark Mercier stormed up the hill in wet conditions to win the third stage of this years OSA Recruitment All Terrain Challenge. Although he missed out on Dave Holmes' record by 2 seconds, he was quick enough to deprive Steve Dawes remarkably running the same time as last year.

The race run on a Time Trial format with the slowest off first brought some surprises. Island Basketball player, Pete Beausire, was the early leader, before being beated by Rugby Star Jim Elliott, Steve McCracken, Marc Tetlow and finally Mercier.

Overall Dawes and Scholes continue to dominate the men's and women's respecively, with Adam Dorey retaining his division 2 lead and Gordon Mercier still leading Division 3. Paul Evans takes over from Tina Coutanche at the top of division 4.

Race 4 3 mile Circuit Race

Perfect warm windless conditions faced the tiring athletes for the 4th stage of this years OSA Recruitment All Terrain Challenge. Saumarez Park was the venue for 8 laps of a short circuit on the roads and gravel tracks inside the park totalling just over 5k.

The races were split by division, which produced some keen and exciting racing, particularly in division 2 and 3. In the lower of these two Island basket ball player, Pete Beausire stormed off at the start and built a substantial lead, only to pay for his efforts later on as Chris Haines briefly took the lead. He too was later pulled back, and a good last lap by Vijay Wiltshire meant he took the victory, also allowing him to pull back some time on series leader Gordon Mercier.

In division 2, Paul Hooker similarly ran very fast in the early stages, but was eventually overtaken by the divisional leader Adam Dorey who went on to win and three others also passed him as he faded to fifth.

 In the top division Steve Dawes pushed from the start and dominated the race, whilst Martine Scholes consolidated her even more dominant place at the top of the woman's standings.

Race 5 Track Events

Stage 5 saw the attention centred around the track for the one and only time but it is unlikely to be an experience many of the athletes will forget in a hurry.

 Divisions 2, 3 and 4 had two 1000m steeplechases to cope with and although the barriers were set at the lower woman’s height, being a new experience, it was very challenging nonetheless. The ladies were given a 150m start which in the event proved to be a little generous, although it did ensure that the men were forced to run hard, or some occasions just ignore them and create their own race! Additionally the water jump was full to the brim! Division 1 had an even more stretching task as they had a knockout “Devil Takes the Hindmost” race including the steeplechase barriers.

 The racing whilst tiring was very entertaining with a mixture of close races, some good and bad tactics and inspirational performances.

 In Division 2 Sarah Mercier the second best female middle distance runner in the Island, predictably won and may not even have needed her handicap, whilst Adam Dorey consolidated his lead overall by finishing second. Jim Elliott showed his strength and speed in finishing third.

 Division 2 was dominated by the women although Pete Beausire ran an excellent final to split winner Jo Bell and Gail Merrien. The significant moment in this division came in the semi finals where Vijay Wiltshire, eased up in the final straight thinking he had qualified for the final but had miscalculated and had needed to finish a place higher. This error judgement could well cost him the overall division title.

 Division 1 saw 1500m and 3000m Island Record holder Martine Scholes take on the men but with no handicap the power difference was too much and she narrowly failed to progress beyond the first round. One by one athletes were eliminated, clearly exhausted until only three were left. On this sprint, Tristan Robilliard lead it out and for a rare moment, overall leader Steve Dawes was clearly in trouble but recovered in the last 40 metres to edge out Robilliard. In the final sprint Dawes beat Mark Mercier who might have had more chance if the event had not gone on for so many laps but in the end stamina told.

 Geoff King

 Race 6 Cliff TT

Race 7 4m Herm