Grizzly gang tackle mud, bogs, hills and beaches

The Grizzly 9/3/08
Cub Run 9/3/08
Duchy Marathon 9/3/08
Duchy 20 9/3/08
Exeter Track 3K Series 5/3/08

Thirteen Teignbridge Trotters tackled the infamous Grizzly on Sunday (March 9), travelling to the Axe Valley area to wallow in 20 miles of muddy, hilly, boggy and coastal trails. A mixture of conditions greeted the Royal Blues. At times it was warm and sunny but this was balanced by hailstorms and chilly temperatures.

Those hailstones were just bouncing off Dave Miller: he bundled across the line in 2.37.10 - a time that netted him 14th place overall. Roger Hayes was second Trotter home, in 2.57.44, and Ewan Walton (3.15.53) was next. Also braving the Grizzly's "multiest-terrain" running experience were: Howard Cotton (3.16.07), John Tweedie (3.19.24), Stuart Moulson (3.26.37), John Johnson (3.34.57), Gary Watson (3.40.31), Mark Wotton (3.59.29), Neil Tampkins (4.06.47), Milos Erben (4.10.56), Ryan Anthony (4.20.48) and Graham Penn (5.00.36).

In the nine-and-a-half-mile companion event, the Cub Run, Dave Tomlin really flew the flag for Teignbridge, winning the race in 1.07.28. Vicky Hales (2.01.16) and Angela Weeks (2.10.28) gave him stirling support.

Also on Sunday, a small band of Trotters travelled to Redruth for the Duchy Marathon and Duchy 20. In sunny but windy conditions, Dave Dunn led the marathoners home, in 4.03.33. Paul Scholfield clocked 4.37.49 and Tina Caunter (4.39.41) secured 2nd place in the Female Over-50 category. In the Duchy 20, Roy Brown had a storming run in his first race as a Trotter, finishing 7th overall in 2.14.49. Michelle Willocks-Watts crossed the line in 3.03.05.

On March 5, several Trotters took part in the fourth and final round of the 3K Winter Series at Exeter Arena. The event produced some solid performances in almost ideal winter running conditions. In the B race, Mike Hicks made steady progress through the field to finish in 10.25 for 5th place.

In the C race, newcomer at this discipline, Andy Pepperell, just saw off the challenge of clubmate Gary Watson. The pair finished in times of 10.50 and 10.51 for 6th and 8th places respectively. Gary's effort was good enough to see him as the fastest MV50 on the night.

In the D race, Stewart Dunn stuck well to the task to finish 6th in 11.23. In the E race, Dave Dunn produced his best track run for a few years to finish 5th in 12.25, followed by Julia Proctor who produced a personal best time of 12.42 to gain 9th place. Matt Dunn, suffering with a heavy cold, ran bravely for 21st place in 13.41. Finally, in the F race, another track debutante, Eleanor Taylor, exceeded her own expectations with 14.48 for 12th place.

Although Michelle Willocks-Watts did not compete in the final event, she had already done enough to secure 3rd place in the overall FV35 Winter Series rankings.