Trotters break their own record this weekend in Torbay...................

TROTTERS BREAK THEIR OWN RECORD IN A HALF MARATHON

Graham Penn was lone trotter at the “The Thame 10km” in Oxfordshire on Sunday 24th June which was organised by a local firm called CPM, with the help of the Thame Runners. It was a level circular course over roads and a former railway line, now called the Phoenix Way. With ideal weather after earlier torrential rain Graham posted a time of 48 minutes and was 262nd out of 780 finishers.

Peter Blakesley completed in the Olympic distance "Bath Triathlon" on Sunday. Battling against strong wind and rain he completed all three disciplines in 3 hours and 7 minutes, just 1 minute shy of his personal best.

Meanwhile in North Devon Roger Hayes and Roger Hales and Ben Epps completed the “North Devon Marathon” starting and finishing in Woolacoombe.It is a very tough course billed as one of the hardest on the circuit. It was a lovely sunny day, with warm conditions. The 157 finishers had to complete a figure of 8 course with the 2nd half being much tougher. They enjoyed stunning scenery and views while running on the coastal path which was very muddy! Roger Hayes did 4:17:30 (did an extra mile due to an arrow missing!), Roger Hales did 4.32.27 and Ben completed in 5.04.01. The two Rogers had to make do without Phil "Latte" Perry at this marathon as he is recovering from a routine operation. Get well soon Latte and rest up.....plenty more marathons to run with the "Boys"!

The main event on Sunday was “The Torbay Half Marathon” organised by Torbay Athletic Club and was the 21st running of the event. Starting at Paignton Green and taking runners out to the Pavilion in Torquay and back to the Green, before another lap to the Pavilion and back, the course is undulating but there are many places where you see other runners so team support was great. This year the Teignbridge Trotters broke their own club record for the most finishers in a half marathon with 49 completing the couse altogether.

Running strongly and finishing 13th in a very high quality field was Daryl “Tarquin” Milford with 1.19.35. Lance Mason was 46th in 1.26.59 but his running buddy for the race Michael Eveleigh broke the clubs male vet 60 record previously held by Dave Foster for 18 years with a fantastic time of 1.27.51 to gain 1st place in his age group. Mark Hutchins was 73rd in 1.30.41 only 15 days after running the Dartmoor Discovery, with Wilf Taylor in 92nd and 1.32.17. Travis Wood posted 1.32.30, again after completing the DD just two weeks before, whilst Ian Langler back on the racing scene ran 1.33.28. Allen Taylor, another DD finisher, clocked 1.35.51 for a pb, while the first Trottette home was another DD finisher, Jackie Woon, who posted a personal best of 1.36.45 and was 3rd femaile vet 45-49. The other results were as follows- Mark Hamling 1.38.37, Peter Royle 1.39.05, Tim Hassell 1.40.17, Clare Youngman 1.41.38, Chris Wride (DD finisher) 1.42.12, Hattie Mann 1.43.14, Jessica Parkes 1.43.18 with a pb, Rob Cowling 1.43.47 and a pb, Peter Kirby 1.43.48, Melanie Dunn 1.44.30 with a pb, Philip Hodgson 1.45.18 for a pb, Rex Barnes 1.45.20 another pb, Sarah Whalley 1.47.43, Michael Jones 1.47.43, Filipe De Silva 1.48.13, Katy George 1.48.09 and 1st female 17-19 years, Sharon Bowman (DD finisher) 1.48.32, Craig Churchill 1.48.58, Becky George 1.49.00, Joanne Haynes 1.49.36, Dave Dunn 1.51.41, Graeme Baker 1.53.14, David Payne 1.54.12 for a pb, Eleanor Taylor 1.55.00, Kate Josephy 1.56.20, Geoff Davidson 1.56.45 a pb, Michelle Willocks-Watts 1.56.59, Guy Roberts 1.57.16, Keith Anderson 1.57.24 and a pb, Caroline Clark 1.58.24, Kirsty Chrysanthou 2.01.40, Victoria Ratcliffe 2.01.49, Jess Whitehouse 2.02.43.

Rod and Lucy Payne crossed the line together in 2.02.51. This was Rod's first major race since back surgery last summer and a "sea of Royal Blue" was there to cheer our Coach Co-ordinator home after his long and painful recuperation back to running, and for Lucy who had been by Rod's side throughout the ups and downs before and after the surgery. Beverley Dennis completed her first half marathon in 2.09.06, Sharon Hutchins 2.14.34, Sarah Seymour 2.15.40 for another PB. To complete the massive list Rachel Pallant and husband Neil crossed the finishing line together as it was Rachel’s first half marathon in a time of 2.19.45.

Congratulations also go to all the Trotters who did the "Dartmoor Classic" cyclosportive on Sunday - Helen Anthony, Adam Caunter, Gary Caunter, Stewart Dunn, Adrian Handley and Julian Head, who all rode the 64 miles route, and Dennis Milstead who completed the 104 miles option. Well done on your hard earned medals.

Report written by Sharon “Fizz” Bowman

PHOTOS-TOP- North Devon Boys before the off(thanks Hannah) MIDDLE -Rod waiting for a well earned pint! BOTTOM-Mike racing hard to a club record (thanks Nigel)