Quartet take to the Country at Bideford

With very few races on the local calendar it was another quiet weekend for the Teignbridge Trotters.

Four stalwarts made the journey to North Devon for the Bideford leg of the Brookes Western Cross Country league.

The races start near Bideford Quay and the courses are over fields, tracks and paths.

With the recent heavy rainfall, conditions underfoot were extremely slippery and with the course unsuitable for spiked shoes a good tread pattern underfoot proved to be an essential requirement.

First away in the ladies race over the treacherous 4.8km course was Trotter's sole representative and club stalwart Tina Caunter. Tina battled the conditions to finish the course 33rd lady in 30.37.

In the men's race over approximately 8km of similar terrain to the ladies, three of our men lined up at the start and all gave solid performances. Mike Roberts and James Henderson currently seem to be out and about in the Royal Blue vest on a weekly basis and featuring in our report. True to form both were at Bideford with Mike finishing 59th in 36.04 and James 66th in 38.21. John Caunter was packed in just behind to finish 71st in 39.41.

The next round of the Brookes Cross Country series is on 13 February at Parke Estate near Bovey Tracey and is hosted by Teignbridge Trotters. Due to the format of the races there is an opportunity for members to run in their own race category and marshal others as well. It is therefore anticipated that the club will be well represented at this event.

Come on Trotters, get behind your press and publicity team. Rodders, Fizz and Tommo need your own account of your races with pictures wherever possible so that we can keep this page interesting and relevant.

Report by Rod Payne

Pictured: Teignbridge Trotter and Club Stalwart Tina Caunter (LibraryPhotos).