Trotters desend on Drogo................

The main event this Sunday 20th November was the “Drogo 10” organised by the South West Road Runners. The race is a tough off –road event starting and finishing near the Castle on the National Trust estate. It throws in hard steep hills,stones,tree roots and slippery descents but also the infamous “Hunters Path” by Fingle bridge!495 competitors enjoyed the testing course and the unseasonable warm weather.Unfortuately Tracy Elphick fell in the first half mile and due to a sprained ankle was unable to carry on but 25 trotters completed.
David Tomlin ran a very strong race showing the hills his heels as he brought the trotters back home in 1.08.58 and 13th place. Not too far behind him and showing his potential in off- road racing was the talented Adam Caunter clocking 1.10.18 and 17th.Garry Smart was hot on his heels in 18th and 1.10.24.The 3 men won the team event.Daryl”Tarquin” Milford was next trotter in 1.11.03 and 20th.

The other trotters came in as follows-Patrick Gaskins 1.12.01 29th,Lance Mason 1.12.06 30th and 2nd vet 50,Stephen Barker 1.16.04 55th,Vaughan Lindsay 1.16.32 58th,Thomas Burman 1.18.39 72nd and Stewart Dunn back on the racing scene after a long lay-off due to injury was 111th in 1.23.50.Benn Epps 1.24.24 119th,Gary Clark 1.25.07 131st,Allen Taylor 1.26.11 146th,Nathan Elphick 1.28.38 165th,Craig Churchill 1.33.14,Gary Caunter 1.38.14 254th,Neil Pallant 1.40.18 276th and Graeme Baker got 1st vet over 65 male with a time of 1.41.56 and 290th place and Nigel Penwarden 1.42.50 302th.Then it was the turn of the trottettes to return safely home with Sarah Schutte bringing them back in 1.47.22 357th and Mary Goulden 1.49.19 and 372nd being chased up the final hill by Sharon”Fizz”Bowman in 1.49.24 374th.Julie Crocker was next to appear in 1.53.42 404th being closely followed by Caroline Clark in 1.54.17 406th.The ever smiling Guy Roberts finished 413th in a time of 1.54.44 as he pushed to the line to finish the Royal Blue line up on Drogo.

Further afield down in Cornwall 4 intrepid marathon trotters took themselves down there to run the “Cornish Marathon”. The Cornish marathon now in its 28th year is a must do race on the calendar and said to be one of the toughest marathons around. This year 246 runners enjoyed the near perfect conditions. Organised by The East Cornwall Harriers who put on a well organised competitive race with friendly Marshall's to encourage runners all the way.
It’s an out and back hilly course, up the Draynes Valley, across Bodmin Moor passing Jamaica Inn. Down to Fowey valley and back to Pensilva where at the end you are offered a space blanket if needed, a fantastic goody bag and of course a well deserved medal and free pasty!
Nick Stevens brought them home in a time of 3.25.38 giving him 42nd place.Roger Hales was still running in fine form after last weeks three marathons in three days to come in 72nd place in a respectable 3.42.34.Philip Perry was 139th in 4.08.34 and Sally Ingledew completing the trotter quartet in 4.31.21 and 164th.(thanks Sally for info and photo)

On Sunday Lucy Payne travelled to Gosport in Hampshire as our only representative for an assault on her half marathon personal best and also the Ladies’ FV60 club record at the 26th running of the “Gosport Half Marathon”. The race is based at Bay House School and the course is table top flat, just right for a personal best, but apart from the sea front finish from 11 miles the course is sadly devoid of character. The race is extremely well organised by Gosport Road Runners and the on-course marshals are enthusiastic and cheerful all around the course. There is an added bonus of a Samba Band on the airfield section that is strategically placed so that the runners pass by it on several occasions and the rhythmic beat cannot fail but to stimulate the tired individuals. It was a real bonus for Lucy that her pre-race training had gone perfectly and to compliment this the day dawned bright and still. With a 10am start the temperature was perfect for distance running. She was feeling good from the outset and set about her work at a pace much quicker than planned. She sustained this throughout and finished 853rd out of 1,379 finishers in a magnificent time of 1.56.05 taking 5.45 off of her personal best and a stunning 18 minutes off of the existing FV60 club record. This was Lucy’s second club record in consecutive weeks following on from her 10 mile success at the Deviock Bounder.(thanks Rod for info and photo)

Report written and compiled by Fizz

Photos-TOP-Guy still smiling at Templer 10  MIDDLE-The Cornish Quartet BOTTOM-Lucy with another club record under her belt .