MORE than 500 runners at a charity cross-country event were denied the spoils of victory after thieves stole £500 worth of trophies.

Seventy trophies, which should have been prizes in yesterday's Bicton Blister on Woodbury Common, were taken from a van.

Exmouth Harriers, which organised the all-terrain challenge, say they will have to pay for replacement trophies to present to winners at a later date.

The event's two races, which started and finished at Bicton Arena, covered distances of 11 and five miles.

They aim to raise more than £1,000 for the Devon Air Ambulance.

But early on Saturday, race organiser Roland Young, 56, discovered that his Ford Transit van, which was parked outside his home in Brixington Road, Exmouth, had been broken into.

Mr Young told the Echo that his heart sank and his thoughts went out to the scores of competitors who had given up their time and energy to take part in the 11th Bicton Blister.

"The trophies were in a cardboard box," he said.

"Not only were 70 trophies stolen, but 1,000 plastic drinking cups for the runners and tape to set out the courses.

"Whoever is responsible for this theft is heartless. One day, they may need the Devon Air Ambulance to come to their rescue.

"I had to tell all the competitors there would be no trophy presentation because thieves had clearly no regard for the fundraisers who turned up to take part in this run for such a good cause.

"The theft has also cost us a lot of money: we will have to provide trophies in the future to those who should have received them yesterday."

Mr Young said the trophies were inscribed with the words Bicton Blister.

"Those responsible forced the door of my van to take away the boxes," he added.

Over the years, the Harriers have raised about £20,000 from Blister runs for local charities, including the RNLI and the children's cancer charity Clic Sargent.