Another Successful John Scott Trophy with a Championship Edge

On Sunday 4th December 34 Teignbridge Trotters took part in our very own John Scott Trophy, a 4-mile handicap race over an out and back course from Abbrook to Sandigate. The race is now well established and run under the stewardship of Steph Ross and her most glamorous assistant ‘Skins’. Also officiating at the race were timekeepers Maurice Piper, Buzz Terrill and recorder Jean Terrill.

The afternoon was dry and blustery with a chill in the air and the race was led off by your correspondent, Rod Payne, participating as a walker due to back surgery in September. Thirteen minutes later the hounds were released one by one in hot pursuit of the hapless walker. This year the race was given an edge by being included in the Club Championship and the perceived status of the Championship (no updates have been published since mid November to heighten the anticipation at the dinner dance), four of our ladies, Lucy Payne, Tina Caunter, Eleanor Taylor and Sally Ingledew, all after points, ran this race hotfoot from the 12.30pm Exeter Cross Country start.

At the halfway point there was no indication as to how the race would pan out as the handicaps were still slowly unraveling. It was only as the runners passed the Sandygate Pub on the return journey that the real overtaking took place as the quicker runners worked their way up the field.
 

Sharon Hutchins was the first runner away and she managed to hold her advantage right up to the line to secure a fine win in a time of 48.25 (net 35.25). Husband Mark Hutchins needed another 50 metres on the course in order to overhaul his wife. This was a luxury that was not afforded so he had to settle for second place 10 seconds behind in 48.35 (net 28.20). In a triumph for the handicappers Stu Dunn, was only a further 4 seconds in arrears. His charge to the line recorded third place in 48.39 (net 27.39).
 

The fastest net time of the day went to Ewan Walton who had warmed up for the event by running from home to the start. Ewan was encumbered with the stiffest handicap and went off last. It was a fine achievement for him to finish 4th overall in 49.06 (net 24.21).
 

Other net times for the four mile course were as follows: Ian Langler 10th 25.45, Gary Clark 23rd 27.16, Stu Dunn 3rd 27.39, Mark Becker 22nd 27.42, Gary Watson 11th 28.16, Mark Hutchins 2nd 28.20, Wilf Taylor just returned from Australia and last year’s winner, 27th 28.46, Nathan Elphick 12th 28.47, Craig Churchill 13th 29.19, Phil Perry 19th 29.22, Peter Royle 26th 29.43, John ‘Skins’ Skinner 24th 29.46, John Caunter 17th 29.58, Keith George 8th 30.04, Becky George, fastest lady in 21st 31.01, Mark Wotton 5th 31.20, Caroline Clark 16th 31.39, Kevin Besford 15th 31.58, Dave Dunn 29th 32.17, Caroline Hayes 18th 32.21, Roger Hayes had run to the race from his home in Teignmouth and was 32nd in 32.25, Jo Becker 6th and 3 marathons in 3 days girl Marsha Garrard 28th both recorded identical times of 33.22, Tina Caunter was the first of our Cross Country ladies, over a minute quicker than last year, 9th in 33.42, Roger ‘Smokes’ Hales complete with chest infection 34th 33.48, Derek Blackford 30th 34.14, Lucy Payne 7th 34.28, Jimmy ‘One Fish’ Donovan 25th 35.08, Eleanor Taylor also recovering from her prolonged break ‘Down-Under’ and on her second outing of the day 20th 35.22, winner Sharon Hutchins 35.25, Jan Caunter 14th 35.51, Sally Ingledew, our marathon queen, 33rd in 37.09 with Rod ‘the plod’ Payne lumbering home 31st in 52.22.
 

The event was low-key but despite this had a real competitive edge as members toiled to establish a pecking order in the rank and file.

The afternoon was enjoyed by all and proceedings were rounded off at the White Hart pub.
 

Report by Rod Payne
 

Pictured Top: Derek Blackford, Middle: Craig Churchill and Bottom: Gary & Caroline Clark - All in Sunday afternoon action at the John Scott Trophy (archive pictures)