Trotters Seek Out Some Tough Weekend Races

On a weekend where the nasty weather promised failed to materialise our members sought out some tough races to test their fitness.

On Saturday five Teignbridge Trotters to Langport in Somerset for the 3rd SLaMM (Somerset Levels and Moors Marathon) & Half marathon organised by Langport Runners. The event started and finished at the Bowdens Crest Caravan Park. Times recorded indicate just how tough both races were and surprisingly tough for a marathon that was 90% flat. At least 20 miles was off-road on grassy tracks and riverside trails, with countless gates and stiles to negotiate, and 2 steep hills up though woodland. The half also had to negotiate these same 2 hills. It was breezy, but very mild with occasional drizzle and some glimpses of the sun.

Chairman Roger Hayes, Roger Smokes Hales and Dave Dunn opted for the Marathon with Mark Wurzel Wotton and Graham Inky Penn tackling the Half distance race.

Chairman Rog did extremely well and was 3rd overall in a Marathon field of 60 finishers, with a time of 3:35:52. This time also earned him a 2nd V40 placing A demoralised Smokes was next, 19th overall, after taking a wrong turn, in 4:15:44 and Dave Dunn was 32nd with 4:37:38.

There were 59 finishers in the Half Marathon where Mark was 23rd in 2:06:09 with a very ‘disgruntled’ off (editorial change of word here – Ed) Inky 34th suffering severe cramp in his quad muscles that lost him at least 10 minutes to complete in a time of 2:21:49.

It transpires that Wurzel and Smokes went wrong due to a local land owner who objects to the event removing direction signs! Can you believe that? (writes Inky and Dunny)

On Sunday 11th September 4 trotters travelled up to Nottingham to run the “Experian Robin Hood Marathon” which has been voted Britain’s 12th best marathon by Runners world in 2010. It incorporated a half marathon of which 5513 runners completed, a mini marathon (2.3 miles) for 1201 children, a corporate relay challenge that enticed 46 teams and the full marathon of which 1405 completed. The course started at the Victoria Embankment by the River Trent on the outskirts of the city and took runners on a circular route into the city centre and through Nottingham University grounds and Wollaton Park. The humidity was very high and really tested the runners. It was quite congested in parts but there was plenty of water available and great crowd and marshal support along the way. Some of the terrain was rather testing, with gravel footpaths and potholed lanes. After passing the half marathon finish, the marathoners were then taken on a separate loop along the river Trent and past Nottingham Forest Football ground and along the banks of the National water sports center. By this time the wind had “whipped” up and made the last miles really tough. The Trotters gave it their best shot with David Tomlin doing a creditable 3.06.15 and gaining 39th. Sally Ingledew completing her 55th marathon to date had a cracking run in 4.26.44 and 881st and Sharon Bowman who ran with Sally for the first 10 miles did 4.56.59 and 1172nd. Selina de Silva who is a second claim trotter did 5.08.02 and 1249th.
(Nottingham Marathon report by Fizz)

Again on Sunday the 4th Running of the Bristol Half Marathon attracted 6 Trotters. This Big City Marathon is now a permanent part of the race fixture and there was a mixed bag of results for our runners. Leading our team home was the ever consistent Mark Hamling finishing 829th in 1.36.27, next came Craig Churchill running in 1667th in a fine 1.43.31, then was Jess Perky Parkes who was running her first Half marathon as a Trottette and was so keen to break 2 hours for the first time. No worries here as 'Perky' romped home 3480th in a time of 1.54.44. Next came Kevin Besford, this time not able to get under the magical 2 hr barrier but there is no shame in his 4981st place time of 2.03.01. Next was recently married Stella Imong for whom it seems her new life agrees with her as she ran an excellent 2.05.59 finishing 5445th. And then Pete Royle finished 5571st in a time of 2.06.49.

Closer to home on Sunday Lance Mason and Vicky Hales joined 64 runners for the scenic Ivybridge Beacon Challenge, a multi terrain race, starting and finishing in Victoria Park and run over an approximate 7.5 miles of testing woodland and moorland paths and including the challenging ascent of Western Beacon. Lance, still relatively new to the Trotters continues to improve with every race this time posting a lofty 5th place in a time of 58.12 and Vicky, just getting back into running after a long lay-off was 64th in 1.44.13.

Finally again on Sunday Powderham Castle near Exeter formed a stunning backdrop for the Force 10k. The race is organized by local cancer charity Force and is run entirely in the picturesque grounds of the Castle. Again 2 Trotters opted to take on the race with Ben Epps posting a top 10% finish, 30th in 45.12 and Rebecca Weare 134th in 55.03. The race produced 323 finishers overall and has raised valuable funds for this worthy cause.

Report compiled by Rod Payne

Photos: Top - Smokes, Chairman and Dunnie at SLaMM (photo courtesy of Dunnie) Middle - Tommo, Fizz, Sally and Selina in Wolverhampton (Photo Courtesy of Fizz) and Bottom - Ben Epps (pictured at Braunton last year) who was in action at Exeter at the weekend.