Blue skies help Teignbridge Ten go with a swing

Great West Teignbridge Ten 30/3/08
An Resek Hellys 30/3/08
Exe to Axe 30/3/08
Bampton to Tiverton Road Race 24/3/08
Easter Bunny 10K 24/3/08

More than 240 runners completed the Teignbridge Ten on Sunday (30/3/08), enjoying blue skies, unexpected sunshine and some record-breaking runs. The race, which is organised by the Teignbridge Trotters, is known for its fast, flat course and Sunday's fine weather prompted a surge of on-the-day entries from local runners looking for quick times.

Kairn Stone, who runs for Newham and Essex Beagles, was first of the 243 finishers to cross the line, in a time of 54.11. Cathy Newman, of Exmouth Harriers, was the first lady, setting a new course record with her time of 1.00.07. Dave Tomlin did an excellent job of flying the flag for the Trotters, finishing 4th overall in 57.21. Dave Miller clocked 1.01.18, Gary Watson finished in 1.08.38 and Tracy Elphick led the Teignbridge ladies home in 1.12.03, just missing out on a new club FV35 record by 4 seconds.

Tina Caunter (1.21.46) chopped more than 3 minutes off Jeanette Howard's recently set FV50 record and Pauline Newsholme filled in the gap for FV65 with her time of 2.04.52. Also running were: Becky George (1.14.58), Graham Penn (1.24.43), Sarah Ingham (1.26.03) and Sally Mutton (1.26.03).

Elsewhere on Sunday, two Trotters struck west and east to represent the club. Marsha Garrard travelled to Helston in Cornwall, where she competed in the An Resek Hellys, a 10-mile, multi-terrain event, clocking a fine 1.34.26. Meanwhile, Mark Wotton took on the Exe To Axe, a 20.3-mile run from Exmouth to Seaton along the East Devon Coastal Path. He completed the course in 4.23.51.

On Easter Monday, five Teignbridge Trotters took part in the Bampton to Tiverton Road Race, one of the oldest events of its kind in the region. It was first run in 1946, when John Harvey from Tiverton claimed victory with a time of 42.19. The seven-mile race has been held almost every Easter Monday since then. The undulating course follows the main route between the two towns along the Exe Valley.

A mixture of drizzle and sunshine made for benign running conditions as Nigel Penwarden (52.44) led the group home in 57th place overall. Graeme Baker (57.05), Graham Penn (58.04), Amanda Milverton (65.49) and Marion Witham (70.16) were also running off those Easter eggs.

Also on Easter Monday, a trio of Trotters travelled to Yeovilton to compete in the Easter Bunny 10K. Andy Pepperell hopped across the line 67th out of 411 finishers, in a time of 39.36. Mike Hill also scampered home under 40 minutes, clocking 39.43. Eyvoll Aston was 8th lady overall and 3rd FV35, crossing the line in 41.43 - a personal best for her.

Confirmed Bath Half-Marathon results for Ian Clatworthy and Nicholas Tyler are now available. Ian fought his way through the crowded field to finish in 1.53.39. Nicholas crossed the line in a creditable 2.02.25.