Trotters go west for 6 Moor and Duckponds

6 Moor Miles 13/7/08
Duckponds 12/7/08
Newton Abbot Carnival 5K Fun Run 11/7/08
The Callow 6/7/08

A dozen Teignbridge Trotters took part in the 6 Moor Miles race near Yelverton on Sunday (13/7). This scenic event is actually somewhat longer than six miles but no one was counting as they got stuck into the scenic, well-marshalled course around the Maristow Estate.

Initially overcast conditions gave way to sunshine and runners soon found the going warm. Chris Cleave was the first Trotter home, clocking a fine 44.43 to collect 29th place out of 357 finishers. Roger Hales was next, in 47.38.

Also running were: Nigel Penwarden (53.23), Mark Wotton (55.13), Gia D'Aprano (55.30), Graham Penn (57.42), Milos Erben (58.17), Eleanor Taylor (59.16), Steve Rawlinson (1.00.34), Stephen Wallace (1.01.11), Angela Weeks (1.13.56) and Marion Witham (1.15.25).

On Saturday evening, 11 Trotters travelled to Plymstock to take part in the Duckponds race, a multi-terrain event of 7K. Dave Tomlin led the Royal Blues home in style, coming 4th overall out of 168 finishers, in a time of 24.23. Tracy Elphick had an excellent run, finishing as second lady in a sprightly 29.31. Roger Hayes (25.15) was 7th overall and 3rd MV40.

Also running were: Gary Caunter (28.13), Stewart Dunn (28.29), Roger Hales (29.29), Sharon Bowman (33.14), Matthew Dunn (33.45), Julia Proctor (33.47), Stella Imong (37.06) and Victoria Hales (42.05).

The previous evening (Friday 11/7), Gary Caunter turned in an excellent performance at the Newton Abbot Carnival Fun Run. He finished the 5K course in 4th position overall, with 19.27.

Last Sunday (6/7), a courageous band of Trotters journeyed to Shropshire to tackle one of the toughest fell races in the country. The Callow is only around 5 miles long but it contains three towering climbs among the formidable hills around Little Stretton. The steep descents are just as challenging. Heavy rain the previous evening meant the intrepid team spent a waterlogged night in their tent but they squelched their way to the starting line with their fighting spirit intact.

They needed it. In a race that has become renowned for its four-legged sections, Roger Hayes once again proved his off-road pedigree. He finished with a respectable 1.14.34, earning 18th place out of 64 participants.

The other members of the team all gave everything to the task. Andrew Pepperell finished in 1.17.16, Roger Hales chiselled out 1.20.48, Ewan Walton strode to 1.22.31, Ian Langler clocked 1.42.30, Jimmy Donovan turned in 1.45.22, Gary Watson crossed the line in 1.48.32 and Dennis Milstead battled his way to 2.12.35.