Trotters "Struggle" in South Molton........

Lone Trotter Gary Caunter did the “Exmoor Stumble “on Sunday 20th October in ideal running conditions for the hilly and scenic off road course. Although advertised as 6 miles it came in at 6.94 on his Garmin. He was 24th out of 89 and did 1.00.53.

On Sunday 27th October, Twenty one Teignbridge Trotters braved the elements at the “South Molton Struggle”. The Struggle was well organised by South Molton Strugglers club and was run to raise funds for the North Devon Hospice. The 7.8 mile undulating multi-terrain course took in roads, footpaths and agricultural land. It was wet and muddy underfoot and the weather conditions blustery.

Out of 209 finishers, Craig Churchill led the Trotters home in 56.56(25th) and was closely followed by Helen Anthony 57.04(27th). Helen was third lady overall and first in her age-category (female vet 35). Other Trotters' times were: Gary Clark 57.35(33rd), Wilfred Taylor 59.05(46th) (first male vet 60), Gary Caunter 1.00.24(55th), Mark Becker 1.02.12(67th),Jim Donovan 1.03.31(72nd), Pete Hayward 1.03.52(75th), Stuart Moulson 1.04.13(79th), Gary Watson 1.04.29(81st), Jacki Woon 1.04.42(84th), Keith Anderson 1.06.59(98th), Derek Blackford 1.10.29(117th), Ruth Johnson 1.11.32(122nd), Guy Roberts 1.12.36(127th), Graeme Baker 1.13.01(128th) (first male vet 70), Eleanor Taylor 1.13.58(133rd), Tina Caunter 1.14.04(134th), Jo Billyard 1.17.03(146th), Bev Dennis 1.17.06(147th) and Jo Becker in 1.17.54(150th).

The “Tavy 7” also took place on Sunday with seven trotters travelling there to take part in the race. It was very blustery with severe showers but this didn’t deter 333 runners completing the tough 7 mile course around Plaster Tor, Pew Tor, Sampford Spinney, Huxworthy common cross and back to the start in Plaster Down.
Angela Evans brought the trotters home in 1.00.06(173rd) with husband David crossing the line in 1.00.07(174th).Stephen Wallace did 1.03.50(227th),Steve Rawlinson 1.06.40(251st),Selina Snow 1.09.31(274th),Katrina Zaple 1.11.08(284th) and Heather Snow 1.12.07(293rd)

report by Fizz (thanks Keith and Gary too)

PHOTOS-TOP-Gary at the finish of the struggle MIDDLE-Mark with the end in sight BOTTOM-Tina and El chase up the hill (thanks SMS page for photos)