Ladies lap up limelight with Totnes 10K triumph

Totnes 10K 3/8/08
Cornwood Challenge 26/7

The Teignbridge Trotters ladies' team took first place in the Totnes 10K on Sunday, proving once again that the club is a force to be reckoned with on the region's racing scene.

The popular off-road event is organised by the Trotters and each year donates a substantial sum to local charities, Totnes Caring and Bob the Bus. More than £7,000 has been raised for these two excellent causes over the race's eight-year history.

The Teignbridge ladies fought off stiff opposition to win their team prize. Tracy Elphick (47.25), Clare Youngman (49.26), Gia D'Aprano (52.35) and Sharon Bowman (54.19) also had to cope with slippery conditions underfoot, caused by persistent rain.

The conditions didn't trouble overall race winner James Baker, of Chichester Runners and AC, too much. He was just nine seconds outside the course record with his time of 35.38. First lady was Helen Parkinson of Torbay AC, who clocked 41.36. First across the line for Teignbridge was Dave Tomlin (38.52). He was 10th overall, out of 375 finishers.

Also running in royal blue were: Vaughan Lindsay (40.21), Roy Brown (42.11), Mike Eveleigh (42.33), Ronnie Jones (43.37), Howard Cotton (47.06), Graham Penn (52.14), Mark Wotton (52.32), Stephanie Ross (55.33), Georgina Wallis (1.01.14), Charlotte Crump (1.01.55), Marion Witham (1.10.47) and Julie Crump (1.13.34). Kevin Besford's hard-won 1.07.55 marked his first race since marathon running in his younger days.

Last Saturday (26/7), four Trotters took part in the Cornwood Challenge, a mixed terrain event of around 10K. Gia D'Aprano led the Royal Blues home in 50.23, picking up the 3rd Female Veteran spot and coming 48th overall out of 110 finishers. Milos Erben clocked 54.51, Stephen Wallace finished in 55.02 and Steve Rawlinson battled his way to 1.07.21.

Official results for the Kingsbridge 10K on July 24 are now available. Graham Penn crossed the line in 51.19, finishing 38th out of 80 runners.