Christmas time fun in the mud and rain!!!!

On Sunday 23rd December Geoff Davey and Craig Churchill ran the “Wellington Monument Race” in Hemyock near Wellington. The race takes the runners along quiet roads and Bridleways up to the Monument and back (visible from the M5) and is 6.27 miles. Geoff posted 40.21and 20th while Craig was 65th in 46.33 out of 156 runners.

 At the “Portsmouth Coastal Waterfront marathon!" the usual bunch of marathoner’s ran this event in its 3rd year. The race was run from South parade pier to the end of the Hayling Billy line and return. Some parts were off road with large puddles to contend with after heavy rain. With some fantastic views across langstone harbour,it was all in aid of the RNLI.

Lance Mason back from recent knee surgery was first trotter over the line in 3.15.45 and 46th place. Gary Clark completed in 3.53.02 and 275th, Roger Hayes did 4.09.13 and Mark Wotton finished in 594th place out of 900 runners in 4.30.30

Up in Torrington, David(Tommo) Tomlin and Sharon(fizz) Bowman took on the “Torrington Christmas Caper” which was just under 10 miles of off road tracks and thick mud. The 215 runners found themselves thigh deep in freezing water after Saturday’s torrential rain storms. David ran well and held onto 4th place in a time of 59.42 while Sharon completed all her pet hates in 1.33.05 in 150th .

On Boxing Day a group of trotters took on the Seasonal Annual “3 legged” race at Shaldon.Starting at the Ness it took runners in a multitude of costumes to 5 public houses in Shaldon where they had to partake in a glass of ale or lager(soft drinks if required). The weather didn’t hold out but didn’t dampen the “Christmas spirit” of the trotters.Steph Ross and Gary Watson paired up ,Mel Dunn and her partner(elf and a rabbit) ,Kirsty and Sharon(Fizz) Bowman (xmas parcels) Daryl “Tarquin” Milford and Catherine Barnes (Thelma and Shaggy) ,Sarah(otter) Seymour and John(skins) Skinner(60s girl and a wizard) ,Andrew(monkey) Ludlum and Caroline Hayes and Pete and Eyvol Aston (batman and Robin) and Carly Cook (Morris dancers) was in the winning team with her friends .They all had a great laugh if someone slightly damp ! Unfortunately the cup wasn’t won by trotters this year but knowing this lot……they will be back next year!!

Also Craig Churchill while visiting family in Bristol ran the "Clevedon AC 4 mile" race on boxing day in 27.17 and 118th/650 runners

Report by Fizz

PHOTOS-Top -Geoff in the Haytor Heller this year(thanks Inky) Middle -Tarquin and Catherine in the 3 legged Bottom-Fizz and her daughter Kirsty enjoying the fun .(thanks Gary Clark)