Junior record smashed at Exeter 10km and Tarquin a Winner Again

Graham Penn once again spent a lonely “trotter” weekend racing and took part in 2 events.

On Saturday 13th August it was the Sticklepath Horseshoe Fell Run, a 15k high moorland race across Dartmoor, with 1700 ft of ascent. The weather was ideal with a slight breeze and occasional drizzle to cool the small field of runners. It is open to 60 competitors and Graham and his trusty dog ”Kelso” were 42nd out of 51 finishers in 2.04.33. The route left Sticklepath near Okehampton and took in Belstone Tor, Steeperton and the horrendous Cosden Beacon, the climb to which was never ending! Self navigation was the order of the day.

On Sunday 14th August he was on his lonesome again, but this time at the “Sidmouth Festival 10k.”
A well known event organised with the help of Sidmouth Running Club and run in rather humid conditions. He did 1.01.24 and was 104th out of 142 finishers.
(thanks Inky for the info)

On Wednesday 17th August saw a 1st running of an Iron Bridge Runner event “The Exeter 10km” which used the “South West road Runners” first chance 10km course at the Exeter Canal. It was 2-lap traffic free and on a pancake flat course on the footpaths and cycle tracks around the canal and river Exe.4 trotters went and gave it a go with Adam Caunter bringing them in with a personal best time of 36.09 and a fantastic 11th place. Adam also broke the Junior men’s record with the strong run. Chris Wride did 47.03 and 106th, Chris Rogers ran 52.14 and 159th and in 169th place and 53.48 was Derek Blackford.215 runners took part in the event.
(report compiled by Sharon(Fizz)Bowman)

Also n Wednesday, 10 Trotters made a midweek trip east to take on the hills of Dalwood for the Dalwood Fayre 10k, near Axminster. After a rainy day the weather took a turn for the better and the race was run in fine conditions. The route is mainly off road and billed as a 10k-ish race taking in a number of brutal hills. Following his win at Salisbury at the weekend Daryl ‘Tarquin’ Milford won the race in fine style, beating the next man home by over 2 minutes in a fine time of 39.11. This was over three minutes faster than he achieved last year. New recruit to the fold, Lance Mason came home next in 5th place overall in 43.11 proving that at his age group he will be a real force to be reckoned with in the club championship next year. Gary Clark in typical fashion went quietly about his business to finish 20th in 48.17. Graeme Baker also ran a fantastic race finishing 40th in a fine 58.52 then came first Trottette and wife of Gary, Caroline Clark, 45th in 60.54 followed closely by Stephen Wallace 47th in 61.27. There followed a keenly contested scrap between marathoner Sally Ingledew and Steve Rawlinson with Sally just taking the honours 51st in 62.32 and Steve just one place and 8 seconds behind her. Lucy Payne was also in the mix and always had the other two in close proximity but lost out on the final descent still managed a highly creditable 55th placing in 62.51. Keith Anderson battled his way around the course finishing 59th out of the 78 finishers in 64.53. Following the race there was a splendid curry awaiting runners and supporters alike at the village pub. Perfick!

On Sunday 43 Trotters bowled up at Torquay to take part in the Torbay Regatta 10k. Following a beautiful day the weather remained balmy for the 6pm start from The Pavilion. The race follows the road to Paignton where the runners circumnavigate the green twice before returning to Corbyn Head for the finish. Dave Tomlin was first Trotter back a magnificent 12th in 36.10. Tommo is coming under closer scrutiny all the time by Daryl ‘Tarquin’ Milford who, having beaten him the week previous was this time just 2 places and 15 seconds behind. Mr consistent Ian Langler also ran a fine race finishing 26th in 38.43. Nick Stevens also ran the tough course in under 40 minutes, 37th in 39.27 and Super-vet Mike Eveleigh secured himself 50th position in 41.16. A steady procession of royal blue vests crossed the line in the form of Mark Hamling 68th in 42.28, John Crocker 70th in 42.52, Wilf Taylor 75th in 43.16, Gary Clark 80th in 43.29, then first Trottette Tracy Elphick running back into form after a layoff through injury 96th in 44.25. Paul Banks, ever improving, was 129th in 46.41, Craig Churchill 160th in 47.42. Nathan Elphick and Melanie Dunn were both accredited with times of 48.10 but due to chip timing were 174th and 176th respectively and John Caunter was not far behind them 179th in 48.20. Neil Pallant had a splendid race finishing 181st in a personal best time of 48.29, Stuart Moulsen 190th in 48.58, Rob Cowling 199th in 49.17 and Sharon ‘Fizz’ Bowman earned herself good championship points, 205th in 49.28. She was followed by Graeme Baker 208th in a fabulous 49.35 and Caroline Clark now boasts a forty something 10k time by finishing 220th in 49.57. Sarah Schutte was 22nd Trotter and 222nd in 50.01 then Jon Martin in his first race as a Trotter came home 239th in 50.51. Jess Parkes ran in 246th in 51.04with Ian Woolley just 3 places behind in 51.11. Also in fine form Jo Haynes was 257th in 51.39 and Nigel Penwarden was 271st in 52.24. Roving reporter Chris Rogers hit the headlines in 284th with a personal best of 53.15 and Mary Goulden was 289th in 53.25 followed by Steve Wallace 291st in 53.36. Still they kept coming – Kevin Besford running well 300th in 53.54, Katrina Duignan 304th in 54.03, Eleanor Taylor 317th in 54.34 and Rebecca Weare 322nd in 54.52. Julie Crocker was well up the field 342nd in 55.51, Tina Caunter 352nd in 56.32, Steve Rawlinson 356th in 56.46 and Steve’s Stalker Lucy Payne again right behind him 369th in 57.34 (your correspondent is getting worried). Lorna Martin also in her first race as a Trotter headed home the final clutch of Teignbridge runners 374th in 57.56, Jess Whitehouse in her first 10k broke the hour 408th in 59.49 and just missing the hour also in her first 10k Catherine Barnes completed a fine run 411th in 60.06. Rod Payne lacking match practice was 422nd in 60.40 and completing the roundup was Sarah Seymour 448th in 62.25. Overall to have all our runners home in under 63 minutes was a fine achievement.

Report by Rod Payne

Pictured: Top - Inky and Kelso at Sticklepath; Middle - 'I am Tarquin' Winner at Dalwood; Bottom - Jess Parkes at Torbay (photo courtesy of Ray Ingledew)