Cleave 'Hangs out' at The Braunton 10

Following a couple of quiet weeks of relative inactivity the sun shone on two quality 10 mile races and this brought a number of Trotters out of their shells and back on to the race scene.

The 10 mile races of note taking place were, The Braunton 10 near Barnstaple where 14 Teignbridge Trotters made the journey north and across the border in Cornwall The Storm Force 10 in Cambourne attracted 3 of our athletes.

At the Braunton Alby Memorial 10 mile race, in a field of 232 finishers, the Royal Blues were led home by the ever dependable men's captain Daryl 'Tarquin' Milford in 12th place in a time of 1.03:27. In finishing over 30 places higher up the field and some 3 minutes faster than last year this signifies a massive improvement for Tarqs in only 12 months. Chris Cleave made an impression on the race. Not content with a fine 25th place finish, third V45 vet in 1.06:31, Chris clearly still in a daze over his run proceeded to the changing room and was delighted to find that he had the shower all to himself. He was standing in full glory, soap in hand, when the first of the female runners arrived to take her shower - Nice one!
Meanwhile back at the race Simon Boobyer and Tom Burman were keeping one another company to finish 49th and 50th place respectively both recording a time of 1.11:29 followed closely by the newly recruited talent in the form of Gary Clark 53rd in 1.11:53 and Ben Epps, a minute faster than last year, 55th in 1.12:23. The ever improving Phil Perry was next Trotter, 86th in a most impressive 1.16:52. First Trottette home was Tracy Elphick 95th in 1.18:05 putting hubby Nathan, running his first race since last autumn, firmly in his place 111th in 1.19:47. The husband and wife team were separated by Emma Sidebotham finishing strongly in 107th place in 1.19:47. Next across the line was Gia D'Aprano, a lady making a welcome return to the Royal Blue ranks. After months of indecision over her future with the club, Gia has now nailed her colours back on to the mast and duly finished her comeback race 146th recording a time of 1.24:30. Just one place behind Gia was the evergreen Graeme Baker. Graeme taking time out from marathon training was delighted with his time of 1.24:57. Steve Wallace, standing head and shoulders above the rest, finished in 180th place in 1.30:06. A fine race for all of the Trotters was completed by Stella Imong, 212th in 1.40:00.

It was a day for come-back races. Father and daughter team, Syd Willcocks and Michelle Willcocks-Watts travelled to Cambourne to make their long overdue but welcome return to the Teignbridge Trotter's race scene in the Storm Force 10. Running in bright sunshine but with a chill in the air conditions were perfect for Syd and Michelle who were competing in the race as preparation for the spring marathons ahead. Despite their low-key approach to the race both recorded pleasing times with Syd finishing 317th out of 519 in 1.25:52 and Michelle just far enough back to ensure she didn't have to buy the tea 331st in 1.26:54. Talking of teas 'sandwiched' between the pair was fellow Trotter Marsha Garrard, getting in some quality miles in her preparation for the London Marathon in April. Marsha finished 321st in 1.26:06.

Report by Rod Payne

Pictured: Top, Graeme Baker - marathon training. Middle: Ben Epps - determined. Bottom: Phil Perry - ever improving