A Win at The Gin is a real Tonic for Chairman

Last weekend was another that saw the Teignbridge trotters spread far and wide the length and breadth of the country in search of diverse events.

Closest to home was The Age UK Wrap Up and Run 10k at Exeter where 8 Trotters took part. The course is a variation on the 1st Chance 10k theme and is one that offers the potential for a fast time. The team was led home by a new name to most, Geoff Davey who is not only new to the club but is also a recent recruit to running. Despite this Geoff finished 13th overall and was first M35 in a fine time of 38.46. Watch out for him all you racing snakes, he’s gonna get you. Next was Craig Churchill who was 123rd in 48.14. He was followed closely by Ryan Anthony 128th in 48.28. Next Trotter to cross the line was our first lady, Caroline Clark who is clocking up the miles in training and running herself into fine form to record a PB, 134th in 48.50. Sally Ingledew, using the race as a warm up to the 39 mile Ron Hill Connemarathon Race in Connemara, Ireland, this coming weekend, was next home 190th in 51.42. Regularly seen in Trotter colours, Derek Blackford was next home 250th in 53.45. Matt Winter, another new name to many of us, had a good run to record a PB of 56.39 and the team was completed by Rachel Pallant who is now officially a sub-one hour 10k runner. Having been denied the accolade through a timekeeping error at the First Chance 10k in January Rachel crossed the line 351st out of 560 finishers in 59.02.
 

On Saturday evening 83 runners complete with head torches set off from Beer in Devon for the Axe Valley Runners’ organised Night Runner Event. The race, comprising 7 miles of cliff top, woodland and beach running, was run entirely in darkness hours. Amongst the brave adventurers was Trotter Mark Wotton who negotiated the tricky conditions 37th in 1.14.58. Mark was later to admit that his head torch was not up to the job and as a result his time was somewhat slower than he would have liked as he had to make somewhat circumspect progress.

Graham 'Inky' Penn was a lone Trotter at the 2nd Yeovil Half Marathon. Starting at Huish Park the runners run a circular course out into the countryside through rural lanes via the quaintly named village of Odcombe. On a fine morning for running the 9am start ensured cool conditions for the 780 runners. After an unfortunate mix up over the chip timing Graham is now confirmed in 269th spot in a very good time of 1.45.52.
 

Slightly further east Michelle Willocks-Watts was on her travels again, this time taking on the 28th Eastleigh 10k. Michelle is one who enjoys visiting other areas to compete as it offers variety to her racing. This time she found herself on a fast course with just one hill between 3 and 4k and duly posted a very pleasing time of 49.35 to finish 902nd out of 2,028 runners. The race for her however paled into insignificance as she found herself in the company of former Olympian Iwan Thomas who is one of Michelle’s athletics heroes.
 

Lucy Payne travelled even further afield to Cranleigh in Surrey in her quest for marathon training miles to take part in the Mabac Cranleigh 15/21. The race is run through beautiful Surrey country lanes and skirts Baynards Park Estate with a history dating back to Elizabeth I. The course is steadily undulating throughout with a single hill that occurs at miles 14 and 20. Runners have the option to stop at 15 miles and claim a medal there or to repeat a six-mile loop to earn a 21 mile medal. In a field of about 300, Lucy ran exceptionally strongly to record a time if 3.21. Results are unfortunately not yet available for the race.
 

And finally The Two Rogers, Hayes and Hales travelled all the way up to Manchester in order to clock up another brace of marathons on their way to achieving 100 career marathons. Following a particularly arduous drive up the M6 on Friday the horrendous journey was quickly forgotten as they embarked on the first leg of The Gin Pitt Marathon. One race is run on Saturday and one on Sunday, over a flat 26.2-mile course on canal paths, trail and a little bit of road and following recent fine weather, conditions underfoot were firm.

On Saturday, in glorious sunshine and warm conditions (yes, they really were in Manchester), Chairman Rog was 4th in 3.27.51 and Smokes ran 4.07.37. The course had no marshals so as a consequence was entirely self-navigated and our Smokes, along with 3 others, took a bit of a detour for good measure.

Sunday dawned even warmer, with temperatures set to reach 20 degrees and with the first 2 runners from Saturday not present, Chair was lying 2nd overall and starting 3 minutes behind the leader. In true character he took up the challenge and blitzed the course in a magnificent 3.12.42 to record 1st overall by a margin of some 15 minutes. Meanwhile poor old Smokes was struggling in the heat but soldiered bravely on finished in a valiant 4.17.34 gaining 12th overall in the 2-race series. The Twin Roger Roadshow moves to Taunton this coming weekend.
 

Report compiled by Rod Payne. Thanks to all of you for your contributions – keep them coming.
 

Pictured: Top: Michelle up close and personal with athletics hero Iwan Thomas. Middle: Our Wrap up and Run 10k boys and girls and... Bottom: Smokes (with ciggy) and Chair pictured with Gin Pitt race director Malc. Thanks to all of you for the pictures.