Record numbers at Plymouth

If proof was needed that running is becoming more popular, you need to look no further than the numbers attending the Plymouth Half Marathon on Sunday: up by over 800 on the 2009 figure. Twenty Teignbridge Trotters were among the 4691 finishers who battled along the undulating course, in very humid conditions.

Starting and finishing on Plymouth Hoe, the route follows a circuit round the city, before heading out to Saltram Park and back, with the demanding climb from the Barbican to the former Eddystone Lighthouse, as the final challenge. Dave Tomlin brushed aside such obstacles and finished in 18th position, with an impressive 1:18:32. He was followed by Wavell Vigers, 36th in 1:23:04 and Adrian Bailey 141st overall, with another fine time of 1:29:29.

Other Trotters were: Mark Hamling (1:32:22), Chris Cleave (1:33:45), James Henderson (1:37:54), Mark Wotton (1:43:15), Garry Smart (1:44:56) and Gia D`Aprano who passed the post in 1:47:22 to take 3rd FV50.

Peter Blakesley (1:50:50) was followed closely by Charles Walker (1:50:53), then Sue Brown (1:51:04), Milos Erben (1:53:25), Sharon Bowman (1:54:19), Sarah Schutte (1:55:47) and Mary Goulden, running her first Half Marathon in a respectable 2:01:34. Graham Penn was next in 2:03:54, with Kevin Besford (2:11:27). Cathy Evans (2:30:13) and Ian Pennicott (2:40:21), also running their first Half Marathon, completed the royal blue line up.

The previous Sunday saw two rather diverse events attended by small bands of Trotters. Firstly, the 2nd Crediton Crunch 10k, organised with the help of the Women`s Running Network, which attracted four club members. The well marshalled multi-terrain race was run in extremely hot conditions; however Mark Wotton led the way in fine style, crossing the line 41st in a field of 218 finishers with a time of 47:17. Remaining runners were: Graham Baker (51:10), John Caunter (53:53) and Craig Churchill (54:10).

Meanwhile in the 25C heat of Edinburgh, three Trotters were running the annual Marathon, which starts near the centre of the city, with a route past Leith and Prestonpans, before the finish at the racecourse in Musselburgh. Described as the `Fastest Marathon in the UK`, it is run alongside a Half Marathon and Relay Race. However, over 200 runners amongst the 16,822 taking part in the three events were treated for heat related problems.

Dave Taylor led the team home in a time of 4:09:22. He was followed by Eleanor Taylor, 4413th in a field of 9459 finishers, in 4:21:28. Rod Payne put in a sterling performance after his return from injury and crossed the line in 4876th position, with an admirable 4:26:44.

Readers are reminded that the Teignbridge Trotters run a supervised beginners group on a Monday evening, from the Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, at 19.00.

Photo:

Eleanor Taylor before the start of the 2010 Edinburgh Marathon