TOM Merson is waiting on a call that could earn him a trip to Egypt for the finals of the World Life Saving Sport Championships next month.

The 24-year-old, from Exmouth, who works at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, is in line for a place in the national team after retaining his 2k run title at the British Life Saving Sport Championships.

Representing Exmouth Surf Life Saving Club, Merson was in action at Newquay's Tolcarne Beach last weekend, competing in the beach sprints, 2k run and the paddle board events.

"I reached the semi-finals of the sprints but on the soft sand I just did not have the power to do any better," said Merson.

"But it was a good warm-up for the 2k run on the sand and I won that quite well. There were a couple of guys from Norfolk competing for the first time and they took it out hard. While they were very fit lads they weren't out-and-out runners so when I kicked on I left them behind.

"Now I'm just waiting to see what happens about the Worlds."

James Bellward marked his return to competitive action with a hard-earned victory in the inaugural Powderham Castle 10k multi terrain race.

For Bellward, who competes for South West Road Runners, the race around the tourist spot must have seen like a very easy jaunt after his recent escapades that explain why he has been out of action for a while.

"Sunday was my first race since I cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End," said Bellward. "I did the ride in two weeks with a mate last month."

But Bellward is clearly in decent shape and, after a good tussle with Peter Monaghan, pulled clear up the final hill to win in 36mins 45secs.

"The race was a really good set-up and I enjoyed it," added Bellward, who lives in Exeter. "And it was great to meet Ron Hill at the finish."

Third place went to Exeter Harries' Adam Stobbs.

Karen Cook made it a SWRR double with an emphatic victory in the women's race, finishing over two minutes clear of her nearest rival.

Results, Powderham Castle 10k, men: 1 James Bellward (SWRR) 36.45, 2 Peter Monaghan (M45) 37.08, 3 Adam Stobbs (Exeter) 38.50. Women: 1 Karen Cook (SWRR, W50) 44.16, 2 Catherine Evans-Martin 46.26, 3 Julie Ogden (W45) 48.21

Okehampton Running Club's Andrew Vallance finished third in the Somerset Levels & Moors Marathon at Langport.

The club coach clocked 3hrs 20mins 26secs to finish just over six minutes behind defending champion Kelvin Dickinson.

The inaugural half marathon was won by Axe Valley Runners' Jonathan Day.

Richard Westgate, of SWRR, won the veterans' over-50s prize in the Ash Excellent Eight multi-terrain race, finishing ninth overall.

The Honiton Running Club pair of Steve Davey and Vernon Gillard finished 19th and 20th, respectively.

Axe Valley Runners' Alex Todd and Patrick Devine-Wright shared the same time of 2hrs 20mins 32secs for the inaugural High Ways and Sky Ways long distance off-road race along the Jurassic Coast, although the latter was given top spot.

AVR's James Jackson finished third (2:23.20) and clubmate Eleanor Wood was runner-up (3:06.25) in the women's race behind Dorset's Lin Lascelles (2:39.45).

In the shorter Half Ways race the AVR pair of Chris Keefe and Eric Emerson finished one-two.