Halloween weekend racing doesn't scare the Trotters ........

Halloween weekend didn't scare the Trotters......

Even though it was Halloween last weekend it didn't scare the Teignbridge Trotters as they embarked on some tough distances around the UK and Europe once again making their mark with some silver ware.

On Saturday 30th October the 28th Snowdonia marathon took place. It is a demanding and spectacular route encircling Snowdon, Wales and England's highest peak. In 2007 the Runner's world magazine voted it best marathon in the UK but also regarded it as the most difficult. The race starts just outside Llanberis and climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (100ft).The route continues to Beddgelert (200ft) and onto Wanfawr.From here there is a rapid climb to about 1,200ft at Bwlch Y Groes and then a difficult downhill decent to finish in Llanberis.The weather started off promising but the dark imposing clouds soon made their presence felt by dropping some heavy showers throughout the race ending up with severe hail storms for the back runners. Some of the course was off road on some steep and slippery descents and ascents.1260 people completed the hard route of which 4 where Trotters.

Clare Youngman was first royal blue in and 387th overall in a creditable 3.55. Sally Ingledew was next in 844th place with another marathon under her belt in 4.36, Derek Blackford came in next in 1243rd place with a time of 5.55 and following behind was Angela Weeks to complete the team in 6.07 and 1249th place.

Meanwhile with 4 trotters scaling mountain peaks, back in Devon saw the Sourton Scramble on Saturday 30th October at Sourton Village hall near Okehampton. All funds raised went to the village hall and church and a grand show of cakes and bacon rolls was on offer for spectators and runners alike. The course was 10.75km of multi terrain running consisting of bridle ways and cycle paths and open moorland. The weather was perfect to take in the scenery as the course took a steep uphill climb just under 2 miles. With not a car in sight runners could enjoy the freedom and peace of the moors.

6 trotters and 1 trottette took up the scramble and achieved the following times with Wavell Vigers running a strong race finishing 10th out of 113 runners in a time of 45.55.Next was newbie trotter Mike Roberts coming in 26th in 52.06,Nigel Penwarden had a strong run too 38th in 54.36.Also getting in just under the hour was Graham Penn 59.29 closely hounded by Craig Churchill in 59.49! Then Steve Wallace popped over the finishing line in 82nd place in 62.50 and lone Trottette Sharon Bowman followed behind him in 84th place in 63.15.

Over in Europe on Sunday 31st October 5 trotters and 2 trottettes travelled to the birthplace of the Marathon in Athens to run the 28th Athens Classic Marathon. This is the 2500th anniversary of the marathon which all came about in 490BCE.The story goes that a messenger named Phillipides or Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of "the battle of Marathon". He then collapsed and died and out of this story the marathon race was born. The course has a relatively flat first 10km which takes runners around the Tumulus (burial ground) of the Athenian dead. It then rises until 32km but the last part is downhill all the way. The course follows the original course ran in Athens Olympics in 2004.

Daryl (tarquin) Milford still fresh from his recent good racing clocked a commendable 3.25. Roger Hayes with another marathon to add to his collection this year attained 3.29, Steph Ross got under 4 hours on the hilly course with 3.58.John Skinner did an respectable time since recent injury of 4.06, Stella Imong 4.39 and Mark Wotton 4.41 completed the jet setters. As part of the celebration there was also a 10km race which saw Gary Watson and his wife, Sarah (Dawlish Coaster) complete the out and back course from Panathinaikon Staduim.Gary did 51.29 and Sarah 1.03.

Just across on the Tor point ferry into Cornwall "The Eller" took place on Sunday 31st October drawing in 3 trotters. This is an undulating 10mile run around the Rame Peninsula, starting and finishing at Millbrook Football club. The course heads out towards Cremyll, back across Maker heights, down to Kingsand then onto Rame head. Stunning coastal views across Whitsand bay can be enjoyed along the Cliff top road and taking you up to 100metres above sea level.

Graeme Baker did 1.28 giving him silverware for first man over 65 and Tina Caunter did 1.36 and gained first lady vet over 50 silverware. Steve Rawlinson picked up an injury at 4 miles but with his typical determination he battled on to the finish.

Report written by Sharon (Fizz) Bowman

Photos-Top-Clare Youngman in action at Snowdonia Marathon Middle-Trotters await the delights of the Sourton Scramble! Bottom-Graham (inky) Penn enjoying the decent of the Scramble