Trotters Enjoy an Outing by the Sea

On Sunday 39 Teignbridge trotters lined up for the 23rd running of the Torbay Half Marathon. With rain threatening and a chilling breeze the runners streamed once around Paignton Green before setting off on the first of two laps over the lumps and bumps to Torquay. The sun made a fleeting appearance and for a while it became uncomfortably warm however the clouds prevailed – nice for the runners but not for the cheering spectators.

In a strong field of 1543 finishers Daryl ‘Tarquin’ Milford, in fine company, brought the Royal Blues home 37th in 1.20.51. He was followed by Allen Taylor running for charity in unfamiliar colours who was 96th in 1.28.29, Chris Cleave, 101st in 1.29.04 and Ian Langler, 105th and back in the sub-90 club, 1.29.44.

The ever reliable John Tweedie was next 166th in 1.34.11, Mark Hamling, 222nd in 1.36.54 and cold-laden Neil Burns was 223rd in 1.35.53. Rob Cowling was next 227th in 1.37.23 followed by Travis Wood 232nd in 1.37.38, Wilf Taylor 257th in 1.38.57 and first ‘Trottette’ Mel Dunn 263rd in a fine 1.38.41. James Ayling was 325th in 1.41.34, Sarah Schutte 372nd in 1.42.51, Filipe Da Silva 339th in 1.42.05, Graydon Widdicombe 414th in 1.43.36, Peter Kirby, not seen in club colours for some time was 429th in 1.45.18, Peter Blakesley 433rd in 1.44.49 and Robert Cooper 454th in 1.44.57.

Mike Jones was 649th in 1.50.43, Dave Dunn 657th in 1.52.15, Graeme Baker 718th in 1.53.36, Eleanor Taylor bounded along to finish 727th in 1.53.50 and Keith Anderson was 890th in 1.57.56. Guy Roberts made a solid return to the race scene finishing 893rd in 1.58.17 followed by Ruth Johnson in a PB of 2.01.01 earning her 958th place. Paul Dainton looked good in his first half and was 975th in 1.59.51. Kevin Besford was 977th in 2.01.48, Sarah Jane Seymour was 978th in 2.01.54, Kirsty Bowman also in her first half was 987th in a splendid 2.02.10, followed by Bev Dennis 1057th in 2.03.58, Vicky Ratcliffe 1072nd in 2.03.53, Cath Pilton 1083rd in 2.03.47, Rod Payne was 1112th in 2.05.17, Rachel Pallant ran a PB of 2.15.29 to finish 1272nd.

The Trotter line up was completed by three half marathon newbies, Selina Snow 1302nd in 2.16.26, Sonia Jane Hodge 1303rd also in 2.16.26 and Heather Snow smiled all the way to the line 1423rd in 2.26.48.

Both Jess Parkes and Jackie Woon lined up for the start but were forced to withdraw from the race due to injury. Hopefully both will be back in action soon.
 

Regrettably there has been some confusion over the results so apologies to those who have not been included in the results sent to the local press (Rod Payne).

Also at the weekend Steve Wallace travelled the short distance to East Devon for the Over The Hill and Farway 10k where he completed the course in an unofficial time of 59.26. The race is supported by Axe Valley Runners but unfortunately no results can yet be found. The race starts from the village hall in Farway and follows a circular route around quiet country lanes. There is a very tough long hill at about 1.5k followed by an undulating middle section with the course culminating in a downhill stretch to the finish. Steve commented after the race ‘Conditions were very windy today but this is a lovely well marshalled run’.
 

Report by Rod Payne
 

Pictured - Top: Kirsty Bowman at Torbay running well as pictured by Gary Clark. Middle: Neil Burns despite still recovering from a nasty cold had a good run around the ‘Bay’ (Photo - Nigel Penwarden). Bottom: Cath Pilton who started steadily at Torbay and worked up the field and finished strongly (Thanks again to Nigel Penwarden for the photo)