Trotter trio go for a Hat Trick

The weekend started on Friday evening for the Teignbridge Trotters with the hugely popular Chudleigh Carnival 6 road race. This was followed on Saturday evening with the 25th Anniversary Haytor Heller and the annual club trip on Sunday. This year a bus load of Trotters descended on an unsuspecting Saltash, for the Magnificent 7.

Twenty one club members donned their royal blue for the event in Chudleigh and for three Trotters it was to be the first of three: Cleave, Penn and Wotton were going for the hat trick! Several more worked hard behind the scenes to ensure a trouble free race, not least of all, Race Director Eleanor Taylor.

Dave Tomlin stormed through the hilly course to finish as first Trotter, 5th overall in a field of 135, with an eye watering 32:53. Tom Burman put in a surprise appearance, crossing the line in 23rd position in 36:52 with Chris Cleave close behind, 31st in a time of 37:33.

Remaining runners were: Mark Becker with an impressive 38:59, Tim Theobold (40:22 & 3rd MV55), Roger Hales (40:36), Mark Wotton (41:02), Stuart Moulson (41:15), Roger Hayes and John Tweedie (joint 42:26), Craig Churchill much improved on 2009 with 43:18, Anna Caunter (43:33), Sarah Schutte (43:44), Gia D`Aprano (44:47 & 3rd FV50), Graham Penn (45:54), Sharon Bowman (46:03), Paul Johnson (47:01), Sally Ingledew (47:50), Mary Goulden (48:39), Jo Becker (51:31) and Vicky Hales (57:13).

Saturday evening saw record numbers attending the Haytor Heller, a challenging off road moorland event of approximately six miles, organised by the Teignbridge Trotters. Many more Trotters were involved in marshalling, timekeeping, water station and barbeque duties than took part in the race and thanks must be extended to all of those who gave freely of their time, including the new Race Director Graham Terrill and Chief Marshal Rod Payne.

James Baker of Chichester Runners & AC won the race for a second year running in a stunning 40:09; an improvement of 44 seconds on his 2009 time. Neil Holmes of Erme Valley Harriers crossed the line next with a time of 41:07, 1:46 faster than the previous year, when heavy rain had made conditions treacherous in places. Andrew Perry, also from Erme Valley Harriers was third in an equally impressive 42:06.

First Trotter through the finish was Chris Cleave, 35th out of 240 in a time of 50:42, with Adrian Bailey 46th in 52:18. Alan Boone ran to the finish 65th overall in 55:53, with Mark Wotton (57:52) and Howard Cotton (59:23) next. First lady Trotter Sue Brown (1:00:36) was followed by Graham Penn (1:02:34), Marion Witham (1:22:01) and Julie Crump (1:26:02).

The next race in the Teignbridge Trotters calendar is the Totnes 10k on Sunday 1st August. Entry forms are available on the club website, with entry on the day available, but subject to a race limit of 600.
The Magnificent 7 road race on Sunday, organised by the Tamar Trotters, was swamped with royal blue, as thirty seven Teignbridge Trotters set out in overcast and humid conditions on the challenging circular seven mile course.

First Trotter Dave Tomlin ran another successful race and passed the post 8th out of 402 with a time of 43:05. He was followed by Daryl Milford 18th in 45:24 and Wavell Vigers in 23rd position with a time of 45:46.

Other runners were: Roger Hayes (46:21), Ian Langler (48:00), Ewan Walton (48:58), Chris Cleave still going strong with 49:59, Eyvoll Aston (51:24 & 2nd FV35), Bruce Campbell (51:37), Simon Boobyer (52:17), Roger Hales (52:20), Gary Watson (53:12), Andy Ludlam (53:14), Clare Youngman (53:16) and John Skinner (54:33).

Ben Epps recently transferred from Torbay AC and running his first race for the Trotters crossed the line in 54:57. He was followed by Emma Sidebotham and Tracy Elphick (joint 55:15), then Nigel Penwarden (55:58), Alan Boone (56:04), John Caunter (56:38), John Tweedie (57:34), Noel Fowler (58:16), Adrian Youngman (59:01), Graeme Baker (1:00:30) and Sharon Bowman (1:01:11).

Sue Brown, running without shoes for the final section finished in 1:01:20 and was joined by Milos Erben (1:01:30), Peter Aston (1:02:48), Graham Penn (1:03:31), Sally Ingledew (1:03:57), Tina Caunter (1:04:51), Kevin Besford (1:05:38), Marsha Garrard (1:06:38), Caroline Hayes (1:07:43), Vicky Hales (1:14:35) and Mark Wotton (complete with gorilla suit!) in 371st position with a very spirited 1:16:47.

Meanwhile, Steve Rawlinson was nearer home at the inaugural Moor Than 10k multi terrain race, starting at Simmons Park in Okehampton. This was the first race to be organised by the recently formed Okehampton Running Club and attracted thirty nine runners. Steve finished in 27th position with a commendable 1:04:32.

The previous Sunday saw Trotters competing in the Wellington 10 races. Seven entered the 10 mile event, with the route altered from previous years, but still as demanding. Wavell Vigers finished 13th overall in a field of 206, in 1:07:03. Roger Hales and Bruce Campbell were next with a joint time of 1:15:22.

Other runners were: Mark Wotton (1:20:45), Sally Ingledew (1:33:02), Marsha Garrard (1:36:37) and Marion Witham (1:56:28). Craig Churchill completed the 10k alternative, 56th out of 230 finishers in 50:27.

On the same day, Peter Blakesley attended the City of Bath Olympic Triathlon. A 1500 metre indoor swim, a 40k bike ride around the Somerset countryside and a 10k run around the University campus gave Peter a total time of 3:16:22 and 82nd position out of 134.

Photo`s

Upper: Trotters assemble outside the Bishop Lacy before the start of the Chudleigh Carnival 6.

Centre: Trotters annual outing at the Magnificent 7 in Saltash.

Lower: Bruce Campbell, Marion Witham and Mark Wotton at the Wellington 10.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a lack of space in the Mid Devon Advertiser, this report will be published in full on Friday 30th July.