31 trotters climb up to"The Obelisk".....and 31 come down ......

On a cold Sunday 12th January, 31 trotters made their way up to the “Obelisk” from Dawlish Leisure centre. This involved rather steep ascents and descents with some country lanes and mud thrown in.The course went up as far as Haldon Forest and although advertised as 10ish hilly miles it ended up being well over 11 miles .The 9th event of the "Oh My Obelisk" organised by the Dawlish Coasters attracted 259 runners .

Daryl “Tarquin” Milford ran a strong race and was first over 40 male and 4th with 1.19.33 while Geoff Davey chased him hard and for his efforts was awarded first senior male in 7th place in 1.20.36.Lance Mason completed in 16th in 1.24.14 and these three men made up the first male team. Helen Anthony brought the lady trotter’s home in 1.30.20 and 36th place while Craig Churchill wasn’t far behind her with 1.32.47(40th) and Tracy Elphick back from a long period of not racing did 1.36.04 (52nd). Travis Wood did 1.36.22(54th),Jon Grimes 1.38.28(67th),Rob Cowling 1.38.49(69th),Ian Langler 1.41.28(94th),Keith Anderson1.41.49(98th) and Jacki Woon did 1.42.51 (109th) and made up the third lady in the ladies team with Helen and Tracy.

Other trotters did the following –Pete Haywood 1.44.46(118th),Tamsin Cook 1.44.54(120th),Graydon Widdicombe 1.44.58(122nd),Stewart Dunn 1.45.53(126th),Neil Pallant 1.47.23 (138th),Jim Donovan 1.47.31(139th),Sally Ingledew 1.56.24(180th),Kirsty Bowman 1.56.36(183rd),Abigail Blee 1.56.40(184th),David Dunn 1.57.10 (188th),Donna Walker 1.57.57(191st),Ruth Johnson 1.58.12(192nd),Sharon Bowman 2.02.35(210th),Derek Blackford 2.05.55(218th),Mark Wotton 2.05.57(219th),Stephen Wallace 2.06.08(220th),Bev Dennis 2.07.23(222nd),Guy Roberts 2.08.02 (225th) and Cath Pilton 2.11.37 (237th).

Down in Coylpool near Plympton the “January Jaunt 10km” was run by Plymouths Round table. It was an undulating course running through the National Trust property of Saltram House.
James Ayling was 54th out of 239 runners and completed in 46.35 and Nathan Elphick was 84th in 49.20.

Another round of the  "Brooks Westward Cross country League"   took place at Westward Ho! on Sunday and Garry Smart completed the 8,800 metres men’s race in 28th and 34.04 while Hylda Stewart completed the ladies 5,600 metres in 29.49 and 33rd.

REPORT BY Sharon "Fizz" Bowman

PHOTOS-TOP -The winning teams -Geoff and Tracy had gone home MIDDLE-Trotter fun on the start line BOTTOM-Jon Grimes in full flow at the Obelisk race