More Marathon 'Madness' and Novelties for Trotters

Teignbridge Trotters have had an unusual week taking part in a diverse mixture of events over four counties.
Unusually, commencing on Monday night at Exeter, were six dedicated Trotters (or was it the offer of free beer that drove them) representing the club in Round One of the Brooks Winter 3k series. Held at the Arena Athletics track, this Ironbridge Runner organised event seeds runners into different races (A to F) depending on their estimated or previous finishing time. The 'F' race was the first away and 3k track rookie Marsha Garrard led her group for most of the race, only to be overtaken with two laps to go. Marsha finished with a commendable time of 13:51 and will be better suited to the E or D race next time. Next up was the 'E' race and Tina Caunter was joined by Richard Keatley in a race of 19 athletes. Tina finished in 14:44 and Richard 16:24. Gary Caunter made a welcome return to racing with a time of 12:28 in the 'D' race. Gary had participated in a tough triathlon only the day before, so this was a good hard pace for him. Also racing the day before were Ian Langler and Tarquin Milford in the 10.25 mile Teign Valley Toddle. Both had to force their legs to operate at the faster pace needed for the 3k. Ian ran in the 'B' race and was in command for most of the event, but the Toddle had taken the zip out of his legs and he was not able to totally stamp his authority on this race finishing in a good time of 10:26. This was a second faster than the last time he ran this event back in February. Tarquin found himself in the 'A' race and did not disgrace himself with a time of 10:06. Adam Caunter (second claim member) was also seeded in this race and the pair, separated by over 20 years, kept each other working hard. Adam finished in 9:49, showing that whilst still a junior he is an emerging force.
October baby Graham Penn took on the infamous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury (Boy on bike scene from the 80's Hovis advert). Due to his love of Dorset the challenge of The Gold Hill Run was a present to Graham who recently celebrated a birthday. Even without the hill this is a tough 9.5k road race but helped by a fine, bright day and a light breeze Graham completed 109th of 210 finishers in 52.15.
Veteran tough guy Graeme Baker trekked off to Cheddar on Sunday to run the oversubscribed Mendip Muddle. This off-road race of 12.7 miles takes in the beautiful Mendips. Starting near Velvet Bottom the race goes through peat bogs and past tumuli (ancient burial mounds), long abandoned mine workings and warrens. With a total climb of 1600feet, 18 stiles loads of mud this is a tough race, particularly on a wet, windy and misty day. Graeme survived and finished in 2:11.14.
Still on the Marathon Trail, marathon 'mad' Sally Ingledew and Roger Hayes dusted off their passports to cross the border to take part in the Eden Project Marathon. With well over 20 marathons between them this year and several over recent weeks both are beginning to feel the gruelling schedule. Even with fresh legs this is a tough race taking on the toughest hills around St Austell. With an impressive 307 finishers Rog crossed the line 41st in 3:45.46 and Sally was 199th in 4:48.14. Fellow Trotter Lisa Thorne competed in the equally tough Eden Project Half Marathon and finished 497th out of 859 finishers in 2:14.12.
A team of Trotters also travelled to St Austell to compete in the first round of the Western League Cross Country. Race headquarters was Penrice School and the course was a typical early season mixture of hilly tracks and wooded paths. First away in the ladies race was sole representative and proven all-rounder Emma Sidebotham. Emma finished 40th out of 75 finishers. In the men's race there were 7 Trotters at the line in the field of 107 with 'Tarquin' Milford leading the team home in 35th place. He was followed by Simon Boobyer (52nd), Tom Burman (59th), Ian Langler (64th), John Crocker (70th), Mike Roberts (79th) and James Henderson (80th). In the under 17's race second claim Trotter and promising junior Adam Caunter (Running for Newton Abbot AC) finished an impressive 5th.
Meanwhile in Plymouth an intrepid band of Royal Blues, including 2 husband and wife teams, took on the Autumn Trail in picturesque Saltram Park. The organizers Plymouth Hash House Harriers are self-acclaimed as certifiable and picked out the toughest course possible for our boys and girls. Up to the task and first Trotter past the post was Mark Becker, a highly respectable 28th out of 305 finishers in 57.32. Stuart Moulson was next Trotter home (52nd) in 59.13. Wilf Taylor despite a roll in the mud was next (58th) in 59.40. Other Blues finishers were Mark Wotton (121st) in 1:07.14, Steve Rawlinson (184th) in 1:13.41, completing team Taylor was Eleanor (199th) in 1:15.43, and team Becker was completed by Jo (209th) in 1:16.40. Marion Witham completed proceedings (260th) in 1:25.49.

Pictured Top: Marion Witham at the Autumn Trail Middle: Sally Ingledew, Roger Hayes and Lisa Thorne at the Eden Project Races and Bottom: Team Trotter at the Autumn Trail in Plymouth

Report by Rod Payne