Trotters last races of 2012.......

After another horrific day of horrific rain and wind the annual “Stoke Stampede” took place on Sunday 30th December. The race ran around the village of Stoke St Gregory near Taunton.It was ideal for a fast time or for a newbie to the distance.

It attracted 293 runners and the first 9 runners were only separated by one minute. David Tomlin running really strongly held onto the lead for 6km but had to settle for 4th place in a time of 34.17 only 20 seconds behind the winner (33.57)and was 1st vet male. Craig Churchill ran another strong race to finish 46th in 42.57 while Gary Clark did 43.34 and 55th.Sharon Bowman was 136th in 50.05 and Chris Rogers was 167th in 53.14 closely followed by Sally Ingledew.

Mark Wotton was lone trotter in Suffolk where he did the “great barrow challenge marathon” (27.1 miles) It starts in the small village of barrow near bury st Edmunds and is a mixture of bridle paths fields and very muddy tracks and road. The race is predominantly flat but with a few long hills with the last 6 miles being the toughest. This was a very friendly and well organised race with plenty of free food after which was much appreciated by the runners .110 runners completed and Mark clocked a time of 5 hours and 10 minutes(thanks Mark)

Graham Penn took part in the `Buntingford Year End 10` in Hertfordshire On the same morning.It was a well organised 10 mile road race courtesy of Royston Runners. The more or less circular route followed peaceful lanes across the wind swept countryside through the villages of Aspenden, Westmill and Cherry Tree.His time was 1.44.32(thanks Inky)

PHOTOS-TOP-Tommo leading the pack MIDDLE -Craig working hard BOTTOM-Chris near the finish (thanks Chris for photos)