Possible demise of Dartmoor Discovery

Saturday saw the 12th and possibly final Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, after the retirement of legendary Race Director Phil Hampton who started the event in 1998 as a replacement for the Two Bridges 36 mile road race. There is however a chance that a `well established` local running club will `take up the reins` from 2011.

The 32 mile race starts and finishes at Princetown, is run entirely on road and attracts runners from all parts of the Country. The circular course, with some very demanding hills, is via Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Ashburton, Buckland in the Moor, Widecombe in the Moor, Postbridge and Two Bridges.

Fourteen Teignbridge Trotters took up the challenge, running initially in almost perfect overcast conditions. The sun eventually broke through for the 130 competitors, which was in sharp contrast to the appalling rain and wind of the previous year.

Dave Tomlin led the team home, 3rd overall and 1st Senior Male, in an impressive 4:02:43; an average 7:32 per mile and a 9:46 improvement on 2009. In 10th position was Club Chairman Roger Hayes, in a time of 4:25:36, with Roy Brown, another DD regular, 15th in 4:35:20.

Daryl Milford, running the course for the first time was next past the post in 4:41:35. Also new to the course, but no stranger to distance events, was Noel Fowler with a time of 4:52:16. Ian Langler was close behind in 4:54:32, followed by Stuart Moulson (5:15:34), Mark Hamling (5:17:43) and Ewan Walton (5:32:35).

Another newcomer to the race was Tracy Elphick who crossed the line in 5:39:40 to take the 2nd FV35 award. She was followed by Roger Hales (5:45:09), Dave Dunn (6:01:20) and Sally Ingledew, 20:52 faster than 2009 with a time of 6:06:04. The star of the show has to be DD veteran Julia Proctor, who finished in 6:13:38, after stepping in as a last minute substitute.

The royal blues came away gilded in glory, with the 1st Men`s team prize for the third time, 2nd Men`s team and 1st Ladies team.

Meanwhile, two further Trotters were flying the flag in Somerset at the 2nd Run in the Wild 10k race. Hosted by Chard Road Runners at the Cricket St Thomas Estate, the event attracted 279 finishers and is described as multi terrain.

The course had been reversed from that of its inauguration, due to the many dangerous downhill stretches, meaning competitors faced a large amount of uphill sections. Graeme Baker led the duo home, 118th overall in 1:02:05, with Cindy Brookes tackling an off road course for the first time, posting a commendable 1:19:45.

Photo`s: (Graham Penn)

Upper: Start of the Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, with Trotters (L to R) Ian Langler, Daryl Milford, Roger Hayes & Dave Tomlin.

Centrefold...? The winning Ladies Team (L to R): Sally Ingledew, Tracy Elphick & Julia Proctor.

Lower: Dave Tomlin (Left) & Chairman Roger Hayes before the start at Princetown.