Royal Blue flood in Bovey Tracey

Twenty six Teignbridge Trotters completed the resurrected Bovey Tracey Half Marathon on Sunday. Last run in 2002, the event was organised by Race Director and club member Peter Horrell with Bovey Tracey Town Council, as part of the Charter celebration week. A three mile Family Fun Run also attracted 105 entries on the day.

Due to the immense interest in the race, the organisers intend to make it an annual fixture, with Sunday 3rd July 2011 already advertised.

Conditions were good for the 260 finishers, with a cool breeze, in marked contrast to the humidity of previous weeks. The well marshalled figure of eight course, starting at St John's Church on Newton Road and finishing in the Recreation Ground, was very challenging in several places.

Wavell Vigers led the team home in 5th position overall, with a fine time of 1:27:37, taking both 2nd MV40 and 5th in the All Men category awards. Mark Becker was second Trotter past the post, 16th in 1:37:16 and 3rd MV45, closely followed by Mike Hicks, 17th in 1:37:50, Roger Hales (1:37:54) and Mark Hamling (1:40:29).

Clare Youngman was first lady Trotter to finish, 35th overall, and her time of 1:41:51 ensured not only 1st FV40, but also 2nd in the All Ladies awards. Tim Theobold made a rare appearance, but never fails to please and crossed the finish line in 1:49:09 to take 1st MV55, with Nigel Penwarden ten seconds behind.

Other runners were: Stuart Moulson (1:50:29), Howard Cotton (1:51:19), Anna Caunter (1:52:47), Graeme Baker (1:54:52), Craig Churchill (1:55:19), Sharon Bowman (1:55:30), Neil Turner (1:55:53), Sarah Schutte (1:55:57) and Sue Brown, still going strong at 12 miles with 1:57:59.

Paul Johnson, competing in his first Half Marathon, posted a well earned 1:59:34 and he was followed in 2:00:34 by Graham Penn, running his 35th such event. Remaining Trotters were: Sally Ingledew (2:01:57), Mary Goulden (2:04:24), with a spirited sprint finish accompanied by her young son Ashton, then Kevin Besford (2:08:57), Eleanor Taylor (2:09:20), Jo Becker (2:11:56), Steve Rawlinson (2:13:18) and Vicky Hales (2:25:17).

On the previous Friday evening, the Erme Valley Harriers were staging their annual relay event at the Ivybridge Rugby Club and a loyal band of Trotters attended, forming four teams of the 67 present. Each runner was required to complete a 2.5 mile circuit on quiet rural lanes.

9th overall, in a combined time of 57:49 was Men's Team: Dave Tomlin (13:40), Ian Langler (14:46), Adrian Bailey (14:57) and Daryl Milford (14:26). Both Dave and Daryl improved on their 2009 time by eight seconds and one minute respectively.

In 23rd position (1:04:46) was 2nd Men's Team: Mike Hill (15:55), Bruce Campbell (16:16), Roger Hales (17:18) and Ian Langler, valiantly running a second leg in a time of 15:17. The MV50 team was 38th in 1:09:50 and comprised: Mark Wotton (17:38), Howard Cotton (17:54), Wilf Taylor (17:35), who kindly volunteered to fill a vacancy at the last minute and Gary Watson (16:43). The FV35 team: Eyvoll Aston (16:01), Eleanor Taylor (21:45), Sharon Bowman (18:25) and Clare Youngman (17:31) finished 45th in 1:13:35.

On Wednesday, a rather novel event called `Beat the Bus` took place at Otterton. Organised by Sidmouth Running Club, in aid of the `Living with Cancer Mini Bus Appeal` the intention being to arrive at the finish, via a hilly off road course before a scheduled Stagecoach bus.

John and Tina Caunter joined 93 other runners taking up the challenge, with John finishing 32nd overall in 49:37; beating the bus that arrived 59th in 57:06! Tina unfortunately `missed the bus` but nevertheless completed the course 68th in a respectable time of 59:06.

Photo`s from the Bovey Tracey Charter Half Marathon (Graham Penn):

Upper: The `Royal Blues` before the start of the event, with Race Director Peter Horrell centre.

Centre: Mary Goulden and son Ashton at the finish

Lower: Clare Youngman collects the 1st FV40 Award from Avril Kerswell, Mayor of Bovey Tracey.