Blowy at the Fulfords 5 but Trotters Breeze it.

On Sunday a contingent of 10 Teignbridge Trotters crossed the river Exe and into Exmouth for the Fulfords GWR 5 mile road race.

The race has its headquarters at Exmouth Sports Centre and is hosted by Exmouth Harriers. The course is flat and is run around the town with a tricky little section along the sea front that can be uncomfortable in windy conditions such as those encountered on Sunday. The race has earned itself a reputation as a fast one and despite the gale-force conditions this proved to be the case on the day with the race won in a time little over 26 minutes.

With the Royal Blue speedsters staying at home our band of Trotters did not figure at the sharp-end of the competition, nonetheless there were a number of personal and private battles going on down the field.

The team was led home by Sarah Whalley who was most impressive and looked comfortable in the field of 200 runners, finishing 81st in 36.58. Sharon 'Fizz' Bowman, in 92nd position can always be relied upon to give an honest performance and despite interrupted recent training finished her race in a highly creditable 38.25. Next Trotter across the line was the unusual sight of Sally Ingledew for once not competing at the marathon distance. Maybe, in witnessing her finish 100th in 39.11, we have uncovered a secret ploy by Sally to get in some speed work to launch an assault on some of the ladies' club records. Completing a quartet of Trottettes was Michelle Willcox-Watts continuing her spring comeback by racing on consecutive weekends to finish 113th in 40.02. Our first man across the line was the ever dependable and race regular Steven Wallace, whilst 2 places behind Michelle, Steve was only 3 seconds adrift in 40.05. Susie Ashleigh-Thomas, last seen racing at the Shaldon 3-legged race on Boxing Day, turned up to this race in much more conventional fashion and on only 2 of her 3 legs finished 133rd in 42.32. Closing in like a train on our Suzie was 'the herald express', Chris Rogers finishing only one second and one place behind, 134th in 42.33. Steve Rawlinson, who loves to race, has for a while now been dogged by injury but he bravely battles on both at training and competing in numerous races and was rewarded here with 144th place in 43.18. Lucy Payne also made a welcome return to racing after an enforced lay-off with a persistent and recurring hip injury. Whilst not yet fully recovered and again troubled by the problem in the latter stages of the race Lucy valiantly closed proceedings for the Trotters finishing 164th place in a very satisfactory 45.44.

On Monday night lone Trotter Craig Churchill, who is mad for racing, travelled to Exeter for Round 4 of the Brooks Winter 3k Series. He elected to run in the D race and soon found he was caught up in a really competitive encounter. Craig needed to draw on his recently acquired wealth of experience to proudly finish 3rd out of the 13-strong field in a fine time of 12.04. Surely the sub-twelve barrier is soon to be broken, perhaps in round 5 on 28th February.

Report by Rod Payne

Pictured: top: Team Trotter before the Fulfords GWR 5 on Sunday. middle: Trotters Complete the Hat Trick after the GWR 5. bottom: Our very own Spice Girls at the Fulford GWR, Sally, Fizz, Lucy, Suzie and Sarah. Thanks to Tommo for the pictures.