Castle Drogo packed with Trotters .........

On Sunday the 21st of November saw Trotters once again dashing around the country side in a host of different events.

Down in Cornwall, marathon crazy Roger Hayes and Sally Ingledew were once again battling around another 26.2 mile course. This time Roger Hales decided to join them in this event. The Cornish marathon is a tough out and back course, up the Draynes Valley, across Bodmin moor to Bolventor (Jamaica Inn), down the Fowey valley and back to Pensilva. This event is run by the East Cornwall Harriers who reward the runners with a hot pasty at the end of the hilly course. It was dry but icy cold winds bit through the runners.Roger Hayes completed the hard course in 3.33.07, Roger Hales did 3.49.20 and Sally completed the trio with another good performance of 4.31

The Gosport road runners celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Gosport half marathon. The flat and virtually all off road race entices runners to a good PB course. A section of the route is on the service roads of an airfield and along the sea front. It starts at the Bay House School at Alverstoke. Lucy and Rod Payne travelled along to the south coast to Gosport. This race whilst not the most scenic, is almost completely flat so was targeted for Lucy's debut half marathon. Race day was dry with a biting north easterly breeze but the pair soon warmed to the task. Running together throughout, they crossed the line hand-in-hand in 1175th and 1176th position of 1463 finishers in 2:03.31. This is a great achievement for Lucy who is a product of the club's beginner's programme and has only been running since March. .

Down around the local area, saw the running of the Drogo 10. This starts at the National Trust castle of Drogo and takes runners on a very difficult and hilly off road course. Half the entry fee goes towards the up keep of the castle by the National Trust.It is run by the South West Road runners and incorporates the infamous 'Hunters Path' steps (which carried on for half a mile!) by Fingle Bridge in Drewsteignton, which marks the last major ascent of the race.

The 574 completers of the course were lead along very muddy paths and puddles but also enjoying some breath-taking scenery on the higher parts of the course.Once again the icy cold conditions featured in Devon also.23 Trotters took part and all completed it.

Vaughan Lindsey lead them all home in a splendid time of 1.09.25.This earned him 17th place while hot on his heels in 18th was David Tomlin in 1.09.39.Gary Smart was 3rd Trotter man to finish in 1.11.13.Then they all appeared at the finish in the following order-Chris Cleave 1.15.41,Simon Boobyer 1.17.29,Tom Burman 1.20.01,Ian Langler 1.20.17,John Tweedie 1.21.13,Stuart Moulson 1.22.44,Ben Epps 1.23.49,Alan Boone(returning from injury)1.24.53,Adrain Mawson 1.24.59,Howard Cotton 1.26.11,Noel Fowler 1.26.42 and the ever improving Craig Churchill 1.27.Next it was the turn of the ladies with Emma Sidebotham crossing the line in an admirable 1.30.00 with David Evans 1.30.15 sandwiched between Emma and Louise Bailey 1.30.21 who put in a sterling performance hounding Emma.Both ladies seem to relish the off road races! Not far behind was Philip Perry 1.32, David Taylor (beating his son!)1.36, the trio of Trottettes was completed by Sharon Bowman in 1.44 closely followed by Steve Wallace 1.44.56 and the final Trotter was Derek Blackford in 2.12

Report Written by Fizz

Photos-Top -Castle Drogo stands out with Stuart &Tommo before the event - Middle -A few Trotters at the finish of the Drogo 10 - Bottom - Rod & Lucy Payne at Gosport