What a Lovely Day to Run a Few Hills

On Sunday 12 Teignbridge Trotters travelled the short trip east to the picturesque village of Dalwood for the Dalwood Three Hills Challenge.
 

The event covers approximately 10 miles and takes in three hills of 500 feet each mainly through woodland and fields. For good measure in case the three hills have not been sufficient, the weary runners are sent half way up a fourth hill.

On a beautiful morning for running the Royal Blues were led home by a fit again Gary Clark 17th in a field of 122 finishers in 1.21.26. Next across the line for the club was the ever consistent Wilf Taylor 26th in 1.32.34, followed by Adrian Mawson, enjoying a rare outing in Trotter’s colours, with a 36th place finishing time of 1.38.08. Mark Wotton also had a fine run finishing 51st in 1.38.08. Mark's time this year was comfortably faster than that he achieved last year. Following on from her FV45 10 mile club record at Plymouth last week Jacki Woon had another highly impressive outing to finish first Trottette, 55th place in 1.38.37. There then ensued a highly competitive ‘mini race’ between Graham ‘Inky’ Penn, Jimmy Donovan and Jo Haynes with Inky leading the trio home 71st in 1.45.35, the rapidly closing Jim Donovan was a solitary second behind and 72nd with Jo Haynes a further 10 seconds in arrears and 73rd place. Next was Michelle Spillar finishing a highly respectable 82nd in 1.48.07. Tina Caunter in finishing 101st in 1.54.42 eclipsed her time of 2.01 achieved in 2011. Steve Wallace, taking on the hills for the first time was 103rd in 1.55.36. Eleanor Taylor wrapped up Trotter proceedings finishing 107th in 1.58.16. Lance Mason started the race but succumbed to illness and was forced to withdraw after a mile.

The Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Half Marathon also took place on Sunday 26th February. Starting and finishing at Bodmin Leisure Centre. The route was primarily off-road around the grounds of the beautiful Lanhydrock Estate, encompassing plenty of hills, mud and breathtaking scenery.
First Trotter home on a tough and testing course amongst the 248 finishers was Bruce Campbell, 42nd in 1.42.47 A good run by Carrie-Anne Hewings brought her home in 63rd place 1.47.31. Anna Caunter ran well, finishing comfortably in the top half of the field in 104th, 1.55.10 with Gary Caunter completing the Trotter contingent 122nd in 1.57.33. (Thanks to Gary Caunter for this piece)

Emma Sidebotham and Simon Boobyer, were selected to represent Devon and Cornwall Constabulary at The National Police Cross Country Championship 2012, this year hosted by Surrey Police on 22nd February 2012. This event was staged around a circular course in the picturesque grounds of Loseley House (home of Loseley Ice Cream - Ed) near Guildford in stockbroker belt Surrey. The course, nestling in the foothills of the Hog’s Back is part of the South Downs and consequently slightly testing with several undulations.

The Ladies’ course was approximately 4½ miles long consisting of two laps and the Men’s course was 6½ miles long, consisting of three laps.

Emma ran a fantastic race and surprised herself by finishing 12th out of a very strong field of 151 female runners in a time of 33:15, only just missing out by a few places on being selected for the UK Police Team. Emma came 4th in her senior female category.
 

Simon, still suffering from a recent knee injury, came 60th overall out of 308 male runners in a time of 47:06, with their male team coming third overall, which was a fantastic achievement with over 35 different forces being represented by their strongest runners. (well-done to Emma and Simon in achiving representative honours and thank you for this article)
 

Report compiled by Rod Payne
 

Photos: Top - Trotters ready for the off at Dalwood; Middle - Eleanor Taylor takes on the final sting in Dalwood's Tail; Bottom - 'Ello 'ello WPC Emma and PC Simon looking resplendent in their post-race finery.