Ljubljana Marathon and Half - Luvly Jubbly

On Sunday 23 October Teignbridge Trotters went international as a group of runners travelled to Slovenia to take on the Ljubljana Marathon and Half Marathon. The race has been fondly renamed the Luvly Jubbly in club circles. 

Despite a mass start the men’s and ladies’ races are categorized separately and the results are published accordingly.

The Half Marathon was run over a single lap and the Marathon twice around. The race is generally a flat one and has its start in the city centre at Slovenska cesta. The finish is at Trg Republike after the course takes in some inner city roads and ventures just outside of the city boundaries.
 

In the men’s marathon field of 983, Dave Tomlin had a very good day as he not only led home the Trotters but also the entire UK contingent to finish 41st overall in a time of 2.48.26. He was followed by Roger Hales who also had a fine race to finish198th in 3.15.24. Then came Roger Hayes in the middle of a series of punishing marathon races and carrying associated injuries but finishing 611th in 3.48.50. He was followed by Mark Wooton, also running off the back of an injury, 852nd in 4.13.42.
 

In the ladies’ marathon Steph Ross ran a great race to finish 61st in a field of 156 in a time of 3.48.50, obliterating a club record that had stood to Marion Luker since 1992! Super Sally Ingledew, running 7 marathons in 7 weeks was next 139th in 4.29.19 followed by Sharon ‘Fizz’ Bowman 143rd in 4.38.13. Selina De Silva, a veteran of well over 100 marathons completed Trotter proceedings 149th in 4.44.27.
 

In the half marathon there were 5 Teignbridge trotter men in the field of 4,021. Wavell Vigers and Daryl ‘Tarquin’ Milford finished side by side 145th and 146th in times of 1.25.21 and 1.25.22 respectively. Next home was Andrew Ludlam, known to most within club circles as Monkey, 812th in 1.36.56 followed by John 'Skins' Skinner 1,590th in 1.44.00 and Chris 'Smiler' Wride in 1.46.24.
 

In the Ladies’ half marathon our three ladies were led home by Becky George finishing 221st of 1,948 finishers in 1.46.25. Then came Sue Brown 459th in 1.52.27 and Vicky Hales 1,601st in 2.13.12.
 

Your correspondent is confident that knowing the people on the trip the stories to be told will be numerous, varied and probably comical so watch out for a future edition of the Trotter Magazine where I am sure that a blow-by-blow account will be given.
 

Meanwhile closer to home and back on domestic soil, 4 Teignbridge Trotters crossed the moor to Tavistock for the Tavy 7.
 

After an enforced break in 2010 the race has returned with a new look and a new venue in a farmer’s field at Plaster Down. On a highly windy day that played havoc with the organiser’s plans at race headquarters a total of 380 runners completed the undulating 7 mile course. The high winds meant that the planned baggage, changing and registration facilities could not be fully provided.
 

There was a tinge of sadness attached to this year’s race as Martin Gibbs, a former member of Tavistock AC and a main sponsor of the race, sadly passed away earlier this year following a battle with cancer. The race was dedicated to him and it was testimony to him that his wife Tina and daughter Holly were at the race to send the runners on their way and later to present the prizes. Money raised from the race is to be presented to St Lukes’ Hospice in Plymouth who cared for Martin during his final days.
 

First Trotter to complete the 7 miles was keen cyclist Bruce Campbell 64th in 51.53. Gary Caunter, enjoying an extremely rare outing in Trotter colours, was next 91st in 54.34. Chris Rogers who has recently found it difficult to attend club due to work commitments demonstrated that he has kept the effort up to finish 283rd in 1.06.34 and Tony Stepney completed proceedings 336th in 1.13.17.
 

Report by Rod Payne
 

Photos: Top: Tommo celebrating his win at the DD had a fine run at the Luvly Jubbly. Middle: Waves and Tarqs pictured finishing together in Slovenia, and Bottom: Monkey pictured at the Wellington 10 was in half marathon action at the weekend.