58 Trotters Take to the Local Roads

A total of 58 Teignbridge Trotters made the short journey to the Sibelco Works in Newton Abbot for the Dartmoor Vale series of races run over 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon Distances.

Seven trotters took part in the 2-lap Marathon with three, Roger Hayes, Sally Ingledew and Roger Hales in the middle of a punishing marathon schedule. Rog Hayes led the team home 27th overall in 3.23.34 with Bruce Campbell just 3 places behind in 3.25.57 and Roger Hales 32nd in 3.28.46. Alan Boone had a fine debut at the marathon distance and was next home 47th in 3.41.52 with Dave Dunn running well to finish 64th in 3.58.24 and first M55. Phil Perry just missed the 4 hour mark finishing 71st in 4.01.59 and Sally Ingledew in a series of marathons over seven consecutive weekends was 108th in 4.36.10.

A total of 27 Trotters lined up for the Half Marathon. With Club Championship points at stake there was keen competition at the head of the field. Dave Tomlin claimed top Trotter placing finishing 7th on 1.20.27 with Tarquin Milford 9th in 1.22.19 and super vet 50 Lance Mason hot on his heels 10th in 1.22.58. Pat Gaskins, who’s first sport is rowing, had a fine race finishing 12th in 1.26.22 and Steve Barker ran home 19th in 1.29.22. Mark Hamling, running his 60th half marathon was next 39th in 1.35.38 with John Crocker just behind 42nd in 1.36.28 with Gary Clark 44th in 1.36.36. Travis Wood was 52nd in 1.38.21, Julian Head 76th 1.42.22, Stuart Moulson 77th 1.42.49, Craig Churchill 86th 1.44.08, Neil Pallant 97th ever improving in a PB of 1.44.5 and right behind Neil was Peter Blakesley 98th in 1.45.09. Anna Caunter was the first Trottette to cross the line 117th in 1.47.30, followed by Rex Barnes 128th in 1.48.24, Nigel Penwarden 133rd 1.48.56, Jacqui Woon 147th 1.51.11 and Graham Penn 150th 1.51.42. Caroline Clark, running her second half marathon in consecutive weeks, was 158th in 1.52.38, Jo Haynes was next, 188th in a personal best time of 1.56.14. Kevin Besford was back in form 195th in 1.57.06, Peter Royle 225th 2.02.20, Rebecca Weare 235th 2.04.42, Guy Roberts who goes quietly about his business at training was a notable 242nd in 2.06.27 and Sharon Bowman, deep into a marathon training schedule was 256th in 2.08.19 completed proceedings.
 

Club Captain Tarquin certainly enjoyed his latest brush with his nemesis Tommo and new ‘old boy’ on the block Lance Mason and has written the following account of the race:
‘I had a good battle with Tommo. I went off fast at first and started away behind the two leaders, but I was not able to maintain their pace. Tommo, running a more conservative race, overtook me after 2 miles. He flew by me and got a good gap on me. However, on the climb into Chudleigh I counter attacked and ran past Tommo, leading into Chudleigh by a good 200 yds. I stayed ahead of Tommo all the way out of Chudleigh and was able to keep my distance all the way on the ridgeway through to Sandygate, although we were both overtaken by a Hayle runner. After the 10 mile mark I started to tire and the toll of running long races on the previous two consecutive weekends (Teign Valley Toddle & Eden Project Half) started to tell. Tommo, who had been running a very well paced race found his second wind and pounced, teaching the more inexperienced Tarquin a thing or two about road running tactics! Tommo stormed by and pulled away in the distance, leaving me struggling to keep him in sight. In then end Tommo gained nearly two minutes on me and it was really good to see him back in Trotter colours and firing on all cylinders again.
The ever-improving Lance Mason continues to defy his V50 status in a frighteningly stark way and gave me (Tarquin) a real wake-up call as he stormed in, only 30 seconds behind me! Lance must surely be a machine, ala-“Terminator 2”, rather than a normal human being!’

The 10k race unfortunately was reduced to a shambles with misdirected runners converging on the finish from 2 directions. This caused the race to be declared void. Fortunately most of our runners were unaffected by the error but times recorded in some instances are questionable. However with 24 Trotters lining up and some in their first race these are the times accredited. Katy George 48.13, Keith George 48.13, Bryan Hayes 48.23, Becky George 48.26, Sue Brown 48.59, Chris Wride 49.14, Tim Theobald 49.46 Caroline Hayes 50.08, Jess Parkes 50.12, Sarah Schutte 50.22, Katrina Duigan 50.33, Mary Goulden 52.05, Angela Gregory 52.33, Richard Keatley 56.24, Lucy Payne 56.52, Sarah Ross 58.03, Vicky Ratcliff 59.52, Sarah Seymour 61.09, Tony Stepney 62.38, Sam Gee 64.17, Vicky Hales 64.52, Rachel Pallant 66.50, Janelle Penfold 82.07 and Anne Bayley 88.20. Both Sarah Schutte and Lucy Payne were denied massive PBs due to marshal and timekeeping errors.

Massive congratulations must go to our recently joined members who have worked hard to get themselves in condition to take on the 10k race distance. All gave a great account of themselves and should not be disheartened by the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the race.
 

Further afield Lorna Martin was the only Trotter in Wales for the Cardiff Half Marathon. Running her third half in 3 weeks Lorna ran well in the mass field to set a PB by over 2 minutes finishing 3,730th in 1.53.43.
 

Trotter veterans Graeme Baker and Dave Taylor made the long journey east to Twickenham for the super-fast Cabbage Patch 10 mile race. The race runs along the banks of the majestic River Thames and is billed as the fastest 10 miler in England. In a field of around 2,000 our duo with a combined age nearly as old as the river they were running alongside both had great days. Graeme was 2nd V70 and 645th overall in a fine 78:00, smashing his own MV70 club record into the bargain, and Dave was 805th in 81.53.
 

Report by Rod Payne
 

Photos: Top: Our girls proudly display their medals after the Dartmoor Vale 10k; Middle: Neil Pallant on his way to a PB in the Half Marathon; Bottom: The seven brave Trotters about to take on the Dartmoor Vale marathon (Thanks to Ray White and the Pallant Family for the photos)