Six Wet Miles for the Trotters

Twenty Teignbridge Trotters braved the driving rain on Sunday at the `6 Moor Miles` race near Yelverton. Organised by Plymouth Harriers in aid of St Luke`s Hospice, the 6.53 mile event is totally off road and takes in the open moorland of the Maristow Estate.

Ronnie Jones set a rapid pace from the start and crossed the line 29th out of 394 finishers, in an excellent 43:25. Ian Langler was a mere ten positions behind in 45:14, with John Tweedie, 51st in a time of 46:20.

Other runners completing the challenging course were: Roger Hales (47:45), Tracy Elphick (49:53 & 3rd LV35), Wilf Taylor (50:15), Gary Watson (50:37), Mark Wotton (50:49), Jim Donovan (51:05), Gia D`Aprano (52:07), Noel Fowler (52:56), Matthew Dunn (54:05), Nathan Elphick (54:11), Milos Erben (54:48) and Graham Penn (55:05 PB).

Graeme Baker was 2nd MV65, recording a time of 57:15. Stephen Wallace was not far behind, finishing in 57:42 and achieving a personal best time for the course; a full three minute improvement on 2008! He was followed by Eleanor Taylor (58:28), Steve Rawlinson (59:08) and Vicky Hales (1:13:52).

On the previous evening, Graham Penn was flying the flag in Cornwall at the 4th Tywardreath Trotter, a 6.88 mile multi terrain race. This well supported event is a real village affair, which starts and finishes in front of the 18th Century New Inn. After recent heavy rain, the off road element was quite treacherous in places, however Graham achieved a 3 second improvement on his 2008 time, passing the finish in 58:31, 66th out of 169 finishers.

The Kingsbridge 10k attracted the attention of the two Grahams: Terrill and Penn, on Thursday of last week. The hilly well marshalled event is one of the most challenging 10k races in the region and is run in conjunction with the Kingsbridge Fair Week.

Conditions were favourable to the 87 runners who completed the course, with a moderate headwind on the final stretch, which helped to combat the humidity. Graham Penn finished 36th in 51:35 and Graham Terrill, the oldest competitor in the race, sprinted past the line in fine style, with a time of 1:05:57.