Splashing good times for the Trottettes.....................

On Sunday 23rd September under heavy rain and wind the 15th running of the “Newton Abbot Ladies 10K” took place at Dornafield Caravan Park on the outskirts of Ipplepen by kind agreement with Mr Dewhirst owner of the park. He raises money each year for bowel cancer and this year was no exception with the Teignbridge Trotters who organise the race handing over a cheque for £424.

Under a new team of Lucy Payne (race director) and Marsha Garrard (chief marshal) the race attracted 182 ladies who ran around the lanes of Ipplepen, Ogwell and Denbury.The heavy rain made for difficult going with several of the narrow lanes flooded with ankle deep water. The Trotters had 35 ladies in the race which was 20% of the field. It broke their record of the most team members to complete the ladies race.

Bringing them all home was Carrie-Ann Hewings in 42.59 in 8th place followed by Laura Cooper a new member of the club showing her potenial in her 1st race with 45.15, Jackie Woon did 45.38 and 16th which gave her 2nd vet 45 and Eyvoll Aston was 18th in 46.05 and 3rd vet 40. These ladies won the 1st team prize. Sarah Schutte had a strong run with a new PB and did 47.02 and 22nd, Clare Youngman was 24th in 47.14, Sue Hewings did 47.31 in 27th and Katy George was 29th in 48.20.

The other Trotter ladies did the following – Mel Dunn 48.33 31st, Sarah Whalley 49.03 34th, Jess Parkes 49.31 36th, Sharon Bowman 49.31 37th, Becky George 50.31 43rd, Penny Aitchison 50.32 44th, Tamsin Cook 52.22 48th, Angie Blakesley 54.09 55th, Stef Ross 54.56 61st, Kirsty Chrysanthou 55.11 64th, Sarah Seymour 55.17 65th, El Taylor 55.45 70th, Michelle Spillar 55.56 72nd, Ellie George 56.53 81st, Catherine Barnes 57.12 85th, Sharon Hutchins also did a PB in 57.18 86th, Jo Billyard 58.08 98th, Bev Dennis 58.14 102nd, Kirsty Bowman(1st Trotter race)58.47 108th, Jo Becker 59.07 111th, Charlie Rice(1st Trotter race) 1.00.06 121st, Jo White(1st Trotter race)1.00.29 128th, Rachel Pallant 1.01.27 137th, Julie Crump 1.04.53 157th, Cheryl Hales 1.05.00 169th Vicky Hales 1.11.09 177th, Zilpah Walton 1.17.19 182nd .

Up in the New Forest Husband and wife team Gary and Caroline Clarke, together with Katrina Duignan, took part in the "New Forest Marathon"  which also was very wet and windy. It was the 30th anniversary of the event. It is a tough course and due to the off road section it is classed as a multi terrain marathon. Gary posted 3.27.33 and 70th while Caroline did 4.16.20 and 364th. Katrina completing her 1st marathon did 4.45.40 and was 488th out of 577 runners.

Meanwhile further up country in still more bad weather Graham Penn took on the "Tonbridge Half Marathon"  in Kent which was the 2nd such event and organised by the Rotary Club. It was a circular route run out and back through the village of Leigh (pronounced Lie) over unusually closed rural roads. Dame Kelly Holmes started the race and stood there in the rain at the finish presenting medals. Graham completed the course in 1.55.59 and was 489th out of 873

Report written by Fizz

PHOTOS - TOP - Group photo trying to keep dry (thanks Peter Royle) MIDDLE - Sarah, Katie, Clare and Sue battle it out BOTTOM - Fizz, Perky and Sarah keeping up the pace (thanks Nigel Penwarden)