Variety - the spice of Teignbridge Trotters life

Flat, hilly, dry and sopping wet - recent Teignbridge Trotters runs have had it all.

The inaugural Great West Fell Race took place on Saturday 3rd August. This started and finished at Meldon reservoir, so the planners couldn't resist sending the runners up Yes Tor. The day was warm and the moor was dry-ish, so the downhills were springy. Eleanor Taylor was the sole Teignbridge Trotter giving this a go, and sprinted in to the finish to earn the prize for the 1st F40.

Michelle Willocks-Watts is on the road to recovery from injury and raced the Exeter 5k by the Exeter Canal in a time of 24:49 - just pipped by Dad Syd in 24:47.

Last Saturday 18 Trotters ran Jeremiah's Journey - a 5mile Trail Run round Caan Woods. The showers were very heavy, so by the time the 127 runners set off, there was no point in avoiding the puddles en-route - they were all thoroughly soaked through. First Trotter home - and 3rd Male 40+ was an in-form Roger Hayes in 31:23. Next was newcomer Andy Shakeshaft in 32:27. Ian Langler was next in, clocking 34:36, closely followed by John Tweedie in 35:04. Tracy Elphic was 3rd woman home in 35:33 - she led a pack of clubmates - Roger Hales in 35:36, Mark Becker in 35:42 and 4th woman Eyvol Aston in 35:48. Stuart Moulson (38:43) pipped Gia D'Aprano (38:48) who achieved 2nd F50 place in her first race in the age group. Also running were Helen O'Malley (40:55), Julia Proctor (41:38), Milos Erben (43:02), Eleanor Taylor (43:48), Jo Becker (47:07), Amanda Milverton (49:06), Marion Witham(52:52) and Victoria Hales (52:59).

Sunday's Sidmouth 10k was challenging, muddy and scenic - so almost perfect conditions. M65 Syd Willocks was first Trotter home - in a time of 56:47, he outspprinted Graham Penn who finished just 12 seconds later. 3rd Trotter in was Stephen Wallace in 1:02:49, followed by Jim Donovan in 1:03:39, and Steve Rawlinson in 1:06:18.