Pasties and puddles for the weekends racing...........

On Monday 11th November the second round of the “Exeter winter 3k” series took place on the track at Exeter. It is organised by Ironbridge running events and enticed 5 trotters to compete in the evening event.
Garry Smart running in the “A” race was 10th in 9.54 .Helen Anthony in the “B” race was 14th in 11.26(13 seconds faster than last month and 1st in female vet 35 after this round).In the “E” race Keith Anderson produced 13.019(9 seconds faster and 1st in the male vet 60 after 2 rounds) in 11th place and the “F” race had Joanne Becker in 8th in a time of 14.21(58 seconds quicker than last month and 2nd in female vet 45 after 2 rounds) and Jo Billyard in 11th in 14.41.

As the winter hits and the Autumnal weather is around it sees the start of the off road races around the area. Sunday 17th November saw the “Drogo 10” ran from the National Trust property of Castle Drogo organised by South West Road Runners. Taking in a very undulating and tough course thirteen trotters ran along with 507 other competitors. It takes in some beautiful scenery across the Teign Valley, Fingle Bridge and the tough climb of steps up Hunters Path.
Patrick Gaskins off the racing scene for a while stormed back to bring the trotters in with a respectable time of 1.09.13 and 25th place while Stephen Barker was 104th in 1.20.18.Craig Churchill did 1.22.15(124th),John Tweedie 1.23.07(134th),Ian Langler 1.27.03(178th),Jim Donovan 1.30.41(217th),Adrian Handley 1.32.56 (251st),Graydon Widdicombe 1.34.06(263rd) and Gary Watson 1.35.48(286th).Ruth Johnson brought the trotter ladies home in 1.43.32(359th),Derek Blatchford 1.50.22(411nd),Ann Donnelly 1.53.12(425th) and Katrina Zaple 2.05.31(488th)

Down in Pensilva in Cornwall the annual “Cornish Marathon” took place and is described as one of the toughest around the area. Originally it started out from Saltash and wound its way down the A38 and A390 to Lostwithiel. Current traffic conditions on one of the busiest roads in Cornwall make that unimaginable. Relocating to Rilla Mill, taking in much of the present route, it presented competitors with an immediate steep start just to get out of the valley. Nowadays it starts from Millennium House in Pensilva, where its relatively flat gradient makes for a much gentler start, however it is most definitely the 25 miles after that, particularly the climb to Foredown between miles 24 and 25, which most people will remember and the climb to the Jamaica Inn. The East Cornwall harriers organise the race and the route has plenty of water stations and marshals along the way. The course although fairly remote in places is well supported.294 runners completed in near perfect conditions.

Lance"skippy" Mason brought the trotter’s home in 3.19.26 finishing 34th in a strong field and picking up 2nd vet 50 while Gary Clark ran 3.41.10(88th) and Wilfred Taylor did 3.51.49(117th). Roger"Smokes" Hales did 3.58.21(137th), Phil"Latte" Perry 4.07.08(149th) while Eleanor Taylor completed in 4.22.37 (190th).Sharon"Fizz" Bowman completing her 3rd marathon in 8 days managed to chase Keith Anderson down and complete in 4.25.30(199th) while Keith knocked nine minutes off his run in 4.30.29 (212nd) and Sally"marathon queen" Ingledew who had also completed three in eight days did 4.32.01(218th).

REMINDER-ANNUAL JOHN SCOTT TROPHY CHAMPIONSHIP RACE-SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

It’s a handicap race, where the slower ones start first - if we all run to form, then we’ll all finish together - over a 4 miles out an out & back course starting from the Abbrook Social Club, near the Sandygate Inn.
Afterwards we then move onto the White Hart for Sunday dinner and the awarding of secret Santa prizes for all! There are lots of prizes up for grabs here - 1st, 2nd & 3rd finisher, 1st co-habiting couple and 1st tattooed Trotters.
Everyone sh...ould bring a 'Secret Santa' present (to the value of roughly £5) and don't forget your club kit!

Meet at Abbrook Social club, Kingsteignton just before 3pm

Stef Ross is the event 'director' and she will work out your handicap - please contact her to let her know your recent form (recent 10k, 5k or Sandygate Loop times will do perfectly)

Contact - Stef Ross (01626 776345) - stephanieross17@tiscali.co.uk

Also please send me any photos of races you do so I can use in the write ups(sharonbowman65@aol.com)

Report by Fizz

PHOTOS-TOP-Some of the cornish crew MIDDLE-Lance gets his award BOTTOM-Wilf and Keith before the start