Final Autumn Trail & Taunton 10K

Last weekend saw the final running of the Autumn Trail after ten successful years. The 8 mile off road event ran through the glorious Newnham Estate in Plymouth has always attracted a large field of quality runners and this week-end was no exception with over 700 athletes taking part. First Trotter home in an impressive 15th place was Dave Tomlin in 50.19. Trotters were also amongst the prizes with Roger Hayes pulling out all the stops to steal 3rd prize in a very competitive MV40 Category with his time of 51.42. Also amongst the prizes were Peter Cleave, 3rd MV50 56.09 and Eyvoll Aston 2nd F35 62.09. Other Trotters running were Chris Cleave 43rd 54.12, Roger Hales 57.09, Stewart Dunn 57.37, Mike Hill 58.56, Colin Cozens 60.28, Mark Hamling 61.24, Ian Langler 61.51, Wilf Taylor 62.10, Brian Hayes 64.53, Nigel Penwarden 64.59, Stuart Moulson 65.03, Gia D'Aprano 65.23, Dave Dunn 67.52, Graham Penn 68.19, El Taylor 72.24, Sharon Bowman 72.26, Stephen Wallace 72.56, Ella Bowles 75.01, Milos Erben 75.27, Steve Rawlinson 76.00, Amanda Milverton 84.19, Marion Witham 90.17 & Angela Weeks 97.47

Also in action up the road in Somerset were a handful of other Trotters turning in some very useful performances in the Taunton 10K. Pick of these was Michelle Willocks-Watts who after a long lay-off with injury produced an impressive 49.06 personal best. All those long hours of DD training finally coming to fruition! Dad, Syd also showed a smart pair of heels by just chipping inside 47 minutes. Not to be outdone was John Tweedie who turned in a swift 40.16. Highlight for me though was the return to the racing scene of long-time member Samm Gee who running on home soil clocked 56.23