Katy breaks junior record in her 1st half marathon......

On Sunday 12th March ,with a beautiful warm day ahead 7 trotters took themselves to Seaton to run the "Grizzly and Cub"race which is 20 plus muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time. It's by no means the toughest race around but has changed over the years and nearly died on a few occasions, but hundreds of runners keep coming back for more so the organisers, Axe Valley Runners , must still be getting it right. Whatever it isn't, it is an experience.(Quote from the entry form).They named this one “every hill has a silver lining!”. It takes in Seaton, Beer, Branscombe and back through Beer and returning to finish on the Esplanade at Seaton. Stephanie Ross opted for the “cub “race and did 1.39.39 and was 103rd out of 351.Garry Smart was the 1st trotter across the line in 2.48.23 and 83rd. John Tweedie appeared next in 3.21.34 and 271st. David Evans did 3.44.09 and 535 while Anna Caunter came in 647th with a sterling time 3:56 and Ben Epps came in 688th and 3.55.51. Mark Wotton getting a last minute entry sprinted to the line to get just under the four hour with 3.59.48 and 751st.Ryan (henpecked!)Anthony did 5.05.46 and came 1422 out of 1560 Grizzly runners.

Further up the M5 7 Trotters completed the 31st running of the “Bath half marathon”which is one of the longest established and most popular city Centre road events in the UK. It is also the largest charity fundraising event in the South West region, raising over £1.4 million for charity last year alone. The course itself is fast and flat making it suitable for all abilities – for beginners whose key objective is to complete the course, to more regular long-distance event runners, looking to beat their personal best time. It covers a two lap 13.1 mile (21.1km) traffic-free course straddling both sides of the River Avon. The race starts and finishes in Great Pulteney Street, in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath. Wavell Vigers went along his business and brought them home in 1.21.21 and 146th. Emma Sidebotham and Simon Boobyer raced home together with times of 1.36.28 and placed 872 and 873 out of 10701 finishers. Katy George broke the junior half marathon record with a time of 1.44.14 and 1709th and it was her first ever run of this distance , while her mum Becky George did 1.48.16 and 2222nd.Penny Aitchison just missed the 2 hour mark by 17 seconds completing on 2.00.17 and ran to raise money for “help the heros”.Mary Goulden also ran and although not feeling at her best, finished in 2.03.28 and 5447th.

Back in Sidmouth Exeter Tri club ran the second heat of their “Aquathlon”series which consists of a 600 metre swim and 5km run. Adam Caunter was 1st in his age group with 8.33 swim and 18.49 run making a combined time of 27.22. David Tomlin was 3rd in his age category with a 10.55 swim and posted the fasted run of the day of 16.44 making a combined time of 27.39 and came 5th senior male overall. Gary Caunter ,Adams dad, did a 10.36 swim and 21.51 run combined to make 32.27 and 10th in his age group.

Report written by Sharon (Fizz) Bowman

On Sunday 11th Michelle Willcox Watts and Lucy Payne travelled to the tranquil village of Burton, near Bournemouth for the "Zoom Tri Club Mad March 10/20."
After a foggy start to the day the sun came out and the runners enjoyed un-seasonally warm weather for racing. Michelle and Lucy, both suffering from spring colds, took on the 2-lap 20 mile option and each coped with the countryside course and warm conditions magnificently.
There was a highly impressive 356 runners complete the 20-mile race with Michelle, overcoming a slight bad patch between miles 14 and 15, finishing 239th in an excellent time of 3.07.02. Lucy, in training for the Milton Keynes Marathon and who had never before run more than 17 miles in her life, controlled her pace throughout and was able to pick up the pace for the last 3 miles to occupy 276th place in 3.18.08.

Written by Rod Payne

Photos-TOP -Mark(wurzel) at the start of the Grizzly(paper)   MIDDLE-Katy and Becky before Bath(thanks Becky)BOTTOM- David(Tommo) at the finish in Sidmouth (Thanks Lance)