Trotters run with abandon

Last Sunday's severe weather led to the popular Wellington Monument road race being abandoned, shortly before the start. Ten Teignbridge Trotters had arrived at race HQ in Hemyock, with the intention of running the 25th such event, but it was obvious to all concerned that sheet ice on roads and pavements was too much of a hazard.

No one was more disappointed than Race Director Peter Hart, who nevertheless arranged, at short notice, a mainly off road `bimble` to the Monument and back, with a local runner as guide.

Whilst Tina and John Caunter opted for a slightly different route, Sharon Bowman, Julie Crump, Amanda Milverton, Graham Penn, Steve Rawlinson, Dave Tomlin, Stephen Wallace and Marion Witham, took advantage of the sunny conditions and treated the remains of the event as a club outing.

Saturday of the previous weekend, saw a further splash of royal blue at the annual Otterton Reindeer run. The 10k multi terrain race organised with the assistance of Sidmouth running club, had a record number of entries this year and resumed its full course, after the flood curtailment of 2008.

Conditions for the competitors were fine and bright, with Mark Wotton as first Trotter past the post in a very respectable 48:09, 53rd overall in a field of 222 finishers. He was followed by Stephen Wallace (54:33), Amanda Milverton (1:02:55) and Julie Crump (1:18:22).

Photo`s courtesy of `Tommo`....

Centre (L to R): Amanda Milverton, Steve Rawlinson, Stephen Wallace, Marion Witham, Graham Penn, Dave Tomlin & Sharon Bowman.