New records set at the Hoe

On Sunday, further club records were smashed, as twenty two Teignbridge Trotters attended the Plymouth Hoe 10 mile race. Organised by Armada Athletics Forum, the event starts and finishes at the Brickfields and follows a figure of eight course through Stonehouse, Millbay, the Hoe and Barbican.

In fine conditions, Dave Tomlin was first Trotter home, 28th overall in a field of 568 finishers, with a time of 1:00:45. Next was Tom Burman, crossing the line in 45th position, with a very energetic 1:04:22. In doing so, he trimmed a further four seconds off his recent 10 mile club record (Junior Male), set at the Storm Force 10 in Camborne. He was followed closely in 49th position by Ian Langler (1:04:45) then Daryl Milford (1:06:44). The second runner to enter the club record books was Eyvol Aston (FV35) with her time of 1:11:17. Wilf Taylor was one position behind in 1:11:23.

Remaining runners were: Mark Hamling (1:12:10), Gary Watson (1:13:27),Ewan Walton (1:13:56), James Henderson (1:14:20), Mark Wotton (1:14:32), Tracy Elphick (1:18:18), Nigel Penwarden (1:19:34), Gia D`Aprano (1:20:02), Sharon Bowman (1:20:56), Graeme Baker (1:24:28), Stephen Wallace (1:25:24), Michelle Willocks-Watts (1:29:00), Eleanor Taylor (1:30:26), Sally Ingledew (1:30:38), Kevin Besford (1:36:23) and Amanda Milverton (1:39:27).

Meanwhile a Trotter trio was sampling the delights of the Somerset countryside, at the Hestercombe Humdinger near Taunton. The challenging 9.5 mile figure of eight course is run on quiet rural roads in the Quantock Hills and this year attracted 317 competitors. Mild sunny conditions favoured the runners, with Wavell Vigers first Trotter past the post, 17th overall in 1:04:06. Steve Rawlinson (1:30:50) and Stella Imong (1:33:27) completed the line up.

On the previous weekend, St Valentine`s day saw a total of 267 competitors, from various parts of the south west descend on Bovey Tracey for the 5th round of the Brooks Westward League cross country. Hosted by the Teignbridge Trotters in the grounds of the National Trust Parke Estate, the event was composed of seven separate races, over differing routes. The weather was almost ideal, with a light breeze and weak sunshine. Also, after the recent dry spell, there was very little mud to contend with.

Six lady Trotters flew the flag in the Senior and Vet ladies, U17 ladies and U17 men event. Their 5.0k course entailed two laps of a woodland trail, with a short sharp ascent through Ledge Wood, shortly after the start. Tracy Elphick was looking strong as she led the team home in 29th position overall, in an enviable 22:40. There was then a steady impressive stream of royal blue, with Sarah Schutte next in 25:25, followed by Sharon Bowman (25:54), Marsha Garrard (26:13), Tina Caunter (27:10) and Jo Becker (28:40).

The 98 Senior and Vet men gathered at the start line for the 9.3k race included ten Trotters. The course was similar to that run by the Senior and Vet ladies but with an additional circuit. Three ascents of the hill failed to deter the Trotters who were led home by Dave Tomlin, 26th overall, in a fine time of 38:11. Tom Burman was next, in 49th position with 41:10, followed by Wilf Taylor, 72nd in 47:11. Remaining runners were: John Caunter (48:39), John Tweedie - recovering well after a late start (49:10), Nigel Penwarden (49:34), Jim Donovan (50:29), Nathan Elphick (50:30), Craig Churchill - running his first race with the club (51:00) and Graham Penn (53:26).

Thanks are due to the National Trust for allowing the event to take place and also to all the volunteers who gave freely of their time to assist in the staging of this most popular event. The final round in the series will be held in Redruth on Sunday 21st March.

The previous evening marked the start of an unusual race in east Devon. The inaugural Nightrunner, a 7.24 mile event organised by Axe Valley Runners and Beer Coasters, started and finished at Beer Head near Seaton and could only be described as a marshalled Hash, with race numbers or a mini Grizzly without the bogs!

Headlights and torches were essential equipment for the 98 runners who braved the icy winds, with five Trotters taking part. The race was well marshalled, with scores of red lights on poles as a guide. The figure of eight course featured several Grizzly attributes, including Branscombe Beach and the Stairway to Heaven cliff path.

Charlotte Crump led the team home in 48th position, with a time of 1:26:56. She was followed by Graham Penn (1:38:28), Amanda Milverton (1:44:29) and Vicky Hales (1:54:46). Unfortunately, Marion Witham was forced to withdraw after sustaining an injury.

Photo`s (Graham Penn)

Upper: Tracy Elphick approaches the finish at the Bovey Tracey cross country

Centre: Newcomer Craig Churchill looking strong before `that hill` in Bovey Tracey

Lower: Lead Trotter Charlotte Crump after completing the Nightrunner