Trotters still find races near Christmas ........

Sunday 22nd December saw the 27th annual "Wellington Monument " race in Hemyock with a record number of 217 entries and 199 finisher’s .Despite a chill in the air and light rain prior to the start, clear skies and only light wind made for good race conditions. Ran by Taunton ac the race of 6.27mile course (just over 10K) started as usual from the Catherine Wheel public house in the village square, the route then climbed to and circled the Wellington Monument, returning along the same road to finish at the school in Hemyock.
There was plenty of festive cheer thanks to the post-race mince pies and mulled wine provided by TAC volunteers.
Craig Churchill was 45th in 43.48 while Stephen Wallace was 151st in 57.37.

Along in Portsmouth Sally "marathon Queen" Ingledew and Sharon "Fizz" Bowman set themselves up to run the last marathon of the year. All ready with fancy dress they arrived to find the weather awful so abandoned the idea .1165 competitors completed the course and this was the 4th year for the “Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon” started from South parade pier to the end of the Hayling Billy line and return. There were some fantastic views across langstone harbor but conditions under foot were far from ideal with the last few heavy days of rain making puddles and slippery paths on the mainly off road course.The wind was very strong in places and with the last two miles back along the promenade with a head wind it slowed the runners down. It was all in aid of the RNLI.
Sally had a really strong run and completed in 4.26.54 and 715th while Sharon struggled but completed in 5.06.14 and 1017th although she did rather enjoy the “mulled wine” shots on the feed stations!

I would like to wish all the trotters and your families a happy and healthy Christmas and a Strong running year in 2014.Please keep your reports coming into me (sharonbowman65@aol.com) and some photos would be great too.
 

Report by Fizz

TOP-Sally and Fizz after Portsmouth  BOTTOM-Craig at Lustleigh in 2012 with Anne Widdicombe