Trotters in Fine Form at the First Chance

On Sunday an impressive 33 Teignbridge Trotters travelled to Haven Banks in Exeter for the First Chance 10k organised by South West Roadrunners.

The event’s headquarters is now at the new and impressive Climbing centre at Haven Banks but the superb organisation of this event has unfortunately been slightly tarnished due to a mix up in the chip timing resulting in some of the times accredited to our runners being up to a minute slower than those actually achieved.

On a fast flat course that follows cycleways and footpaths alongside the Exeter Canal and River Exe and in perfect conditions, there were at least 9 personal best times recorded by Trotters.

Whilst he has run faster on the track, the first of the PB’s was set by Daryl ‘Tarquin’ Milford who in a high quality field finished a fine 8th in 35.08 just ahead of arch nemesis Dave Tomlin who crossed the line in 9th place in a time of 35.29. He was followed by our promising youngster Adam Caunter 19th in 36.24 with Garry Smart next in 20th place in a time of 36.27.

Then came our 2011 Best Male Newcomer and 2011 men’s champion, veteran Lance Mason 32nd in 37.44. He was followed by John Crocker 87th in a highly respectable 41.44 with Andrew ‘Monkey’ Ludlam recording a very pleasing 116th place in 43.06. Wilf Taylor crossed the line 127th in 43.44 and Craig Churchill also had a good run, 171st in 45.52. Carrie-Anne Hewings was first Trottette 104th and was delighted with her time of 42.22. Next was Helen Anthony 173rd in an excellent PB of 45.44 then Peter Royle, back on form after a dip at the end of 2011, 179th in 46.06, Sue Hewings despite experiencing problems en-route bravely finished 180th in 46.09 and Neil Pallant stormed home in yet another PB of 46.42. Then came Becky George 201st in 47.15 immediately followed by Jacki Woon 202nd in 47.05. Gary Caunter enjoyed his rare appearance on the race scene, 229th in 48.55.

Yet another PB was set by our Female Best newcomer of 2011 Caroline Clark who finished 245th in 49.12 and she was followed by Graeme Baker, our super-vet was 253rd in 49.40. Other Teignbridge Trotter times were Kevin Besford, in marathon training ahead of London in April, was on cracking form 258th in 49.48, Jon Martin was 275th in a PB of 50.20, Jo Haynes ran well in 276th place in 50.20, Lorna Martin, not to be outdone by hubbie’s PB set one of her own, 281st in 50.46 and the ever present Stephen Wallace was 282nd in 50.52. Katrina Duignan also had a good day 287th in 51.03 with Sharon Bowman, in training for June’s Dartmoor Discovery, 298th in 51.34 and late entrant Tamsin Cook, pleased to take up a number as she recorded a personal best time in finishing 303rd in 51.35. Angela Gregory in typical fashion went quietly about her business and recorded 305th place in 51.46.

Katy George was 318th in 52.29 and race regular Derek Blackford was 328th in 52.54. Eleanor Taylor despite feigning disappointment at her 361st place, by recording 55.07 she proved that good times were achievable on that course in such perfect conditions. To prove the point, Sarah Seymour had a fine PB and broke the hour 405th in 58.42. However poor Rachel Pallant was a victim of the timing mix up. She crossed the line 426th as the clock recorded the hour so with her chip timing she should have been accredited with a sub-hour time. However her time was given as 1.00.26. Despite this Rachel recorded a PB by some 5 minutes. All times are net chip times but results are based on finishing positions.

It was so good to see many of our more recent recruits on the race scene with so many of them doing really well. The ever improving standard and competition within the club and particularly within our ladies’ section is encouraging and 2012 looks like being a really good year.

Also on Sunday three Teignbridge trotters went to the new speedway track in Plymouth that is the new home of the January Jaunt 10k. The race is organised by the Rotary Club of Plymouth.

Despite the new headquarters the route is the old familiar out and back course to Saltram Park. In perfect running conditions John Caunter was 82nd out of 232 finishers in a time of 49.21. He was closely followed by Mark Wooton 84th in 49.46 and wife of John, Tina Caunter 124th in 53.56.

Report by Rod Payne

Photos: Top: Some of our runners at the First Chance 10k. Middle: PBs for Neil and Rachel Pallant. Bottom: PBs also for Jon and Lorna Martin