Trotters tackle diverse events .......................

Sunday 6th February, saw a scattering of Trotters around the South west taking on some varied events. Peter Royle was the lone Trotter flying the flag in the “Longleat 10km” along with 794 other runners to race around the beautiful estate and finish in front of the amazing Longleat house. Although the course was a bit icy in places he finished in a very credible time of 48.05 and came 148th.

Exmouth sea front saw the staging of the annual “Fulfords Five” race, which is organised by the Exmouth Harriers. This year the event attracted 198 runners from all over the South West. With the start and finish at the Leisure centre, the fast five mile course consisted of two laps along the length of the sea front and into the town centre. Carrie-Anne Hewings brought the Trotters home with a time of 34.10 and 45th place. Gary Watson did 35.44 and 67th followed by Sue Hewings in 83rd in 36.21. Stephen Wallace was 124th in 40.57 with Chris Rogers chasing him down in 41.09 and 125th. Steve Rawlinson completed in 44.08 and 144th.

Across the mouth of the River Exe in Dawlish saw the Exeter Tri Club’s first face of their “Aquathlon” series. Drawing the attention of three of our Trotter men, the race consisted of a 600 metres swim in the Dawlish leisure centre pool followed by a 5km run around the area. Adam Caunter was in fine form posting an 8:41 min swim and 20:10 min run. His combined race time of 28:51 brought him 2nd in his age group. David Tomlin, used to much further distances, posted an 11:05 swim. He then went on to record the second fastest run of the day with a time of 18:56 for the run leg. Whilst this gave him a combined total of 30:01, he narrowly missed out on a prize for his age group and had to settle for 4th. Ian Woolley posted a 9:08 swim and a 26:39 run giving him a total of 35.47 and 15th in his age group.

Michelle Willcocks-Watts travelled to the village of Bishops Cauntford near Sherborne to take part in the Lions Club’s event of “the Blackmoor Vale Half marathon”. In icy conditions Michelle completed the very hilly course in a time of 1.57.32.

On Monday evening, the fourth round of the “winter 3k Series” 2011/12 took place at Exeter Arena on the Athletics Track. Lance Mason back from recent injury posted a strong time of 10.56 in the “A” race, John Crocker did 11.39 in the “B” race and was 13th.In the “D” race Katy George flew to victory in 1st with a pleasing time of 12.51 leaving her mum Becky George behind where she posted 13.35 and 6th place while Julie Crocker did 14.39 and came 13th.

Report written by Fizz
PHOTOS-TOP-Gary at Plymouth Hoe last year MIDDLE-Michelle as race director for the ladies 10km  in 2009(while her dad climbs in the hedge !) BOTTOM-Adam in action at the Dawlish Aquathlon