Bideford Half marathon bags some great personal best times.........

BIDEFORD HALF MARATHON BAGS SOME GREAT PERSONAL BEST TIMES......
On Sunday 6th March the " 17th Bideford Half Marathon" or the "Swift half" as it is known took 34 Trotters up to Bideford to take part in the event organised by Bideford AAC.The weather was cool and ideal for running and with 1200 runners entered the atmosphere was intense. Buskers and a piped band along with Morris dancers made for a carnival atmosphere. The usual "tasty" treats at the post race head quarters and the bar upstairs all helped to re hydrate the runners.1054 runners completed the event.

The Bideford Half Marathon is held over a virtually level course ( although there is some rather long hills in it!) taking in magnificent countryside alongside the River Torridge between Bideford & Great Torrington. The course is half on country roads and half on the Tarka Trail which was formerly a railway line (you even get to run through a tunnel where a flash light lights up the 10 mile marker!)

First Teignbridge Trotter across the finishing line was David Tomlin who battled it out along the way with the lead runners to come in 11th place in a superb time of 1.17.24 showing he is really getting back to his form again. This gained him 3rd Senior male overall. Daryl Tarquin Milford was next with the first pb of the day by 2 minutes storming in at 1.20.35 and 36th place. Two places behind him was Vaughan Lindsey in 1.21 and 38th place. Garry Smart then bounded in with another great time of 1.21.18 and 39th place. Next trotter was the ever improving Gary Clark who also bagged a fantastic pb by 4 minutes to bring him in at 1.27.40 and 96th place. Right on his tail and only 5 seconds behind was Nick Stevens who seems to be really showing some great potential with a massive pb of 7 minutes and a time of 1.27.45 and 98th place. Simon Boobyer was the next trotter to appear with 1.31.01 and 141st.Ben Epps in his last race appearance as a single man did 1.32.29 and came in 159th place. Mark Hamling did 1.33.05 and was 169th.Roger Hayes did 1.34.16 gaining him 190th place.

The first Trottette was the unstoppable Tracy Elphick who was 5th in her category and ran a blinding 1.36.25 and was 231st overall. Nathan Elpick was a few places behind in 1.36.33 but a pb for him too and 235th place. Then came Emma Sidebotham with another enviable time of 1.37.59 and 252th.Andrew Ludlum(monkey)made a rare appearance on the racing scene and bagged 1.38.42 and 267th place. Craig Churchill who again gained another pb and seems to keep on improving did 1.39.07 and came 283rd.Peter Blakesley was another trotter to knock minutes of his old time with 1.40.13 .Stuart Mouslon did 1.44.59.Richard Varley did really well with 1.46.48 .Graeme Baker just missed out on a prize for his age group as he was 4th in his category with a time of 1.46.37 .Sarah Schutte was another 3 minute pb runner with a fantastic time of 1.47.33 with Graham Penn(Inky) joined with the same time. Anna Caunter was next trottette with 1.46.59,Sally Ingledew once again getting another pb in 1.47.23.Marsha Garrard did another good time for the ladies with 1.49.50.Sharon Bowman was next to appear in 1.51.30 followed by Jenna Manion in 1.52.44.Caroline Hayes knocked over 3 minutes off her pb and crossed the finishing line in 1.52.59.Tina Caunter was next with 1.54.31,Mary Goulden with yet another pb of 2 minutes in 1.55.17 and Kevin Besford did 1.55.36,Eleanor Taylor completed in just under the 2 hours in 1.59.03 followed by Steve Rawlinson in 1.59.16.Then came Stella Imong in 2.01.50 and then Rebecca Weare in 2.14.24.

The "Bath half Marathon "was also staged on the same day celebrating its 30th anniversary. This tempted lone trotter Wavell Vigers to compete the lovely flat and fast course around the city of bath.12, 000 runners took to the streets and even some international runners
Despite the large numbers, the race was very well organised with a decent medal and t-shirt. They even had people specifically to take your timing chip off your shoe for you! There was a Great atmosphere around the course with lots of spectators cheering on and numerous live bands playing. The Weather was cold and dry with Cloud at first but sunshine bursting through by end.Wavells did an excellent time of 1.22.38 and finished 190th out of 9,713 finishers and 25th in his age category

Roving Trotters Lucy and Rod Payne travelled to Burton in Hampshire for the "Mad March 20/10". The race, organized by the Zoom Tri Club of Bournemouth is run over a 10-mile loop taking in country lanes and clipping the western edge of the New Forest. On a crisp but perfect sunny morning, Lucy took on the 10 mile single lap option and in a competitive field put in a fine run to break her own recently set club record finishing 91st out of 123 in a time of 1.32.17. Meanwhile in the 20 mile race husband Rod was getting in some much needed miles in preparation for April's London Marathon. What should have been an uneventful race turned into a bit of an adventure when at just over the halfway stage Rod, clearly in the 'zone' and unnoticed by the marshal failed to take a turn and suddenly found himself all alone. After an initial surge of panic he re-traced his steps to pick up the course and went on to finish 142nd out of 328 in a pleasing time of 2.47.43. (written by Rod Payne)

Results from the Exeter 3km track series from Monday 28th February are:-
11.22 - John Crocker - Male Over 45 (3rd in Race C )

12.40 - Rick Clarke - Male Senior (2nd in Race D)

REPORT WRITTEN BY Sharon"Fizz"Bowman
Photos-top-a few trotters before the start(thanks Raymond)middle-Inky and Sarah Schutte battle it out Bottom-David Tomlin checks the time near the end(thanks Deb "pocket rocket" Clarke.)