Christmas Capers and Cups for the Teignbridge Trotters

Christmas Capers and cups for the Teignbridge Trotters

Four Trotters ran the Cockington Caper to work up an appetite for the always generous buffet at that evenings club prize giving.Unfortuately during the night,vandalism had taken place on the course so race officials had to re sign and tape the course in the early hours of the morning.126 runners completed the hard course.

The caper is a 12K muddy off road race around the woods of Cockington with 1600 feet of climb to test legs and lungs all to win a Xmas pudding!. Mike Roberts was first home in 19th place 63mins 24seconds; next came Ben Apps 23rd in 64mins 29 seconds, both excellent times. Graeme Baker was 79th in 79mins 57seconds and Marsha Garrard finished in 99th place in 85mins 44seconds , a fantastic 6 minutes better than last year and on her birthday too!

In the evening, at the Royal British Legion in Kingsteignton, there was a "Trotter" take-over as it was their Annual Awards& Presentations Ceremony and Dance with a wonderful buffet put on by John and Tina Caunter.The evening marked the achievement of much hard work for the Teignbridge Trotters throughout the year which now boasts a massive 203 members and what they accomplished running in their "royal blue" vests that marks the well known club in Newton Abbot. The club President Graham Terrill(receiving the committee cup for outstanding contribution to the club) presented the Cups and awards while the Chairman, Roger Hayes gave a excellent running commentary on each runner .The prizes awarded were as follows -

MENS
Fastest Marathon-London-2.39.55 David Tomlin
Fastest Half Marathon-Taunton-1.17.06 David Tomlin
Fastest 10km -Easter bunny -35.10 David Tomlin
Most improved-Daryl"Tarquin" Milford
Most promising new comer-Craig Churchill
LADIES
Fastest Marathon -Abingdon-3.35.32-Emma Sidebothman
Fastest Half marathon-Taunton-1.34.10 Eyvoll Aston
Fastest 10km -Ivybridge-41.39 Eyvoll Aston
Most improved-Marsha Garrard
Most promising new comer-Lucy Payne

Meanwhile throughout the year members can complete a Club Championship which consists of 7 sections of which 2 races have to be completed in 6 of the sections. These vary from 10km races to half marathons, cross country and long off road races. Runners have a chance to put in "wild cards "for the sections as long as the race matches the criteria for that particular section. This is always fiercely fort as it is worked out on age grading rather than where you came in a race.
Eight ladies completed the championship with Marsha Garrard 8th, Jo Becker 7th, Sarah Schutte 6th, Tina Caunter 5th and Eleanor Taylor was 4th.The top 3 consisted of Sharon Bowman 3rd, Tracey Elphick 2nd and top award going to the already "laden down" Eyvoll Aston.

The men's Championship was very tightly raced and the mens final line up was Tom Burman 7th,Ian Langler 6th,Mark Becker 5th,Graeme Baker 4th,Daryl"Tarquin"Milford 3rd,Wavell Vigers 2nd and in top place ,after winning all the other fastest times was the enviable David Tomlin.
The evening was rounded off with the Trotters dancing and drinking the night away!

Photos-top-Eyvoll Aston receiving one of her rewards from Graham " Buzz" Terrill(club President)middle -David Tomlin collecting one of his awards (photos by Milos) Bottom-Sarah Schutte(left-6th place in the championship)& Marsha Garrard(right-7th in the club championship and most improved lady)before the Teign valley toddle(photo by Fizz)
Report written By Sharon "Fizz" Bowman