Santa Clad Trottettes Get Into the Christmas Spirit

Five intrepid Trotters travelled to Warwickshire at the weekend for the Broad Meadow Stratford upon Avon Double Marathon.

Due to the recent heavy rain and flooding the course, which is self navigation and 95% off-road, had to be altered. The race was run on a path called the Greenway that stretched as far into the distance as the eye could see. This was broken up with various loops taking in the canal and muddy paths. On Saturday Roger ‘Smokes’ Hales ran a time of 4.05.43, Gary Clark ran 4.08.07, John Tweedy 4.16.42 and Allen Taylor and Roger ‘Chair’ Hayes both clocked 4.17.12.There were 59 in the race. On Sunday in a field of 66 Smokes again led the team home 5th in 3.50.05 followed by Chair in 4.01.00, Gary Clark 4.02.00 and Allen Taylor & Tweeds both clocked 4.17.12. It was Allen and Tweeds’ first double.

On Sunday lone Trotter Graeme Baker ran in the Cockington Caper this year run over a slightly ‘longer’ 7 mile course that included one very steep hill. With mud in abundance, a great atmosphere and camaraderie it made for a fantastic race.
Here is Graeme’s account of the race verbatim: ‘Four pounds to park in the Frozen car park, 20P for a pee, one extra vertical hill, longer course and mud, mud and more mud, made the Caper a terrific race. Great atmosphere and camaraderie make this a race not to be missed. I got round in 1;;20;;09 in 104th place and can already nearly stand up again.'
Well done to our ‘Super Vet’ who ran a great race.

Also on Sunday around 25 Santa Costume clad Teignbridge Trottettes boarded a coach at Dyrons to travel to Plymouth to take part in Santa’s Xmas Run/Walk, a 5k low key race around 2 laps of Central Park. The trip was wonderfully organised by Sarah Otter Seymour and the girls all looked resplendent in their Christmas garb as they boarded the bus and set off on their adventure.

With all competitors encouraged to dress up in festive costumes the race was quite a spectacle for the Sunday dog walkers. Unfortunately no results have been published but all of the ladies had a great race and then moved on into Plymouth for a well earned lunch at Wetherspoons washed down with a glass of wine before returning home to Newton Abbot.

Report by Rod Payne (Thanks for contributions by Graeme Baker and Chairman)

Photos Top: Marsha, Jess and Catherine before setting of to Plymouth: Middle, All aboard The gils about to board the bus (photo to follow): Bottom, Hardly light and our lads are ready to embark on their double marathon adventure in Shakespeare Country