Royal Blues besiege the Bicton Blister................

The sun for another November weekend shone on the trotters for a Royal blue take over at the “Bicton Blister” at Bicton College in East Devon on Sunday 27th November.422 runners completed the multi terrain 10 mile course as it followed an undulating and rural course winding its way through Woodbury common with varying ground to negotiate on the course including bracken, mud, loose stones and streams. It was the last “longer” trotter race on the championship calendar so battles were fought along the way to get maximum points towards your total and for some it ticked the last box needed to complete and 37 trotters raced it. Vicky Hales had to with draw after the first mile with an injury.

Sydney Willocks took on the "Bicton lite"(the little sister of the Bicton Blister and 4.5 miles) and was 34th out of 84 in a time of 44.07.
Daryl”Tarquin”Milford stormed across the finishing line in 1.08.35 bringing the trotter’s home in 11th place. Lance Mason wasn’t far behind him in 19th in a time of 1.09.54.This gained him 2nd Vet 50 to add to his trophy cupboard since joining the trotters earlier this year. Right behind him was Garry Smart in 1.10.12 20th and next through to join them was David “tommo” Tomlin in 21st with a time of 1.10.37.Stephen Barker was 35th in 1.14.11 and Wavell Vigers was 38th in 1.14.29.Alan Boone was next to appear in 1.18.43 and 58th,Travis wood,a newer member did 1.20.18 and 68th place and Gary Clark 1.21.37 and 80th.Roger Hayes did 1.22.03 85th in his first race since his 3 in 3 marathons a few weeks ago. John Crocker had a strong run in 1.24.21 and 111th and Allen Taylor did 1.24.36 116th.

Tarquin,Tommo,Stephen and Allen went on to claim 1st senior men’s team and not to be out done Lance, Garry(smartie), Wavell and Alan won 1st vet male team! Emma Sidebothman in her first race for a while ran with her partner Simon Boobyer and brought the first of the trottettes home safely in 1.25.39 and 125th while Simon clocked 1.25.40 126th.

The other trotters came in as follows-Phil Perry 136th 1.26.30,Andrew “monkey”Ludlam 1.27.13 147th,John Tweedie 170th 1.29.02,Stuart Moulson 1.30.21 184th.Helen Anthony was the next lady to appear and did 1.30.44 189th showing her potential and Chris Wride was just behind in 1.30.48 191st .David Evans did 1.34.23 in 235th.
Jacki Woon was in fine form with 240th in 1.34.41 and David Taylor right on her heels in 1.34.21 and 241st which gave him 2nd male vet 65 award. Graeme Baker won some more silver wear with 1st vet male 70 in 1.35.17 and 247th.Peter Blakesley was 251st in 1.35.35,David Dunn 263rd in 1.36.36,Graham Penn 279th in 1.38.16.Caroline Hayes had a fantastic run in 1.41.59 320th being chased by Sharon “fizz” Bowman who just couldn’t catch her in 1.42.27 325th but fizz was being chased by Katrina Duignan 328th in a time of 1.43.05.Caroline Clark was 332nd in 1.43.39,Julie Crocker 1.44.12 336th,Neil Pallant 1.44.19 337th,Jim Donovan 1.44.53 339th,Sally Ingledew 1.46.41 and Lucy Payne did 1.46.57 and 352nd which once again added another prize to her growing selection with 1st vet lady 60.Marsha Garrard ran a valiant time of 1.50.41 and 370th with her 3 in 3 marathons still fresh in her mind(and her poor blisters!)

Mark Wotton, along with his broken arm in plaster went and ran the 1st “Trionium hilly half” in Bath .It was a very tough half marathon which started and finished at Bath race course and the finish was at the winning post! The racecourse was ran one and a half times before going off road to muddy tracks and fields for two laps. Unfortunately he along with some other runners got sent the wrong way so ended up doing about 14 miles! His time was around 2hrs 30. (Thanks Mark for info)

Report written and compiled by Sharon(Fizz)Bowman

Photos-Top –the Royal blues take over Bicton (thanks Inky) Middle-Graeme wins Male vet 70 at Bicton .Bottom-The girls ready for the off at Bicton !