Dutch treats, a Stampede and a muddy marathon - what we Trotters get up to!

Four Trotter stalwarts took part in the Stoke Stampede 10K race at Stoke St.Gregory, near Taunton, Somerset on Sunday. The race, held on local lanes and roads around the village, takes place each year just after Christmas. This is a popular race and the race limit of 400 was reached in advance, so no entries were possible on the day.
Clear skies and dry conditions underfoot were welcomed by the runners but a strong wind limited opportunities for fast times. This year's race, dedicated to former race director Stuart Wilkinson, was expected to raise a significant sum of money towards the new village playing field pavilion.
Helen Anthony led the Trotters home in a time of 39.47 and finished 17th overall, coming in as fourth lady. Other Trotter results were: Richard Gentry 53rd (44.20), Louise Gentry 54th (44.33) and Caroline Clark 195th (57.09).

Graydon Widdicombe was wearing the Trotters vest with pride in the Netherlands over the festive period whilst taking part in the annual Eindejaarsloop (Year End Race) in the town of Zwolle, in the province of Overijssel.
Organised by the local Athletics PEC1910 club, the event was made up of 3 race distances that all started at 11am: a 5K (1 loop of the very picturesque course), 10K (2 loops) and 15K (3 loops) race, with 125 competitors across the three distances. Each race was chip timed with entries made on the day, and the races started and finished at the club’s athletics track. Included in the entry fee were a hot drink at the end and unlimited oliebollen, which is a traditional festive Dutch snack resembling a large, round doughnut covered in icing sugar.
Graydon opted for the 10K event, finishing in a time of 50:47. He had a thoroughly enjoyable run in what were cool and windy conditions, and then treated himself to a few oliebollen after the finish to celebrate. He was convinced fellow Trotters would have loved them!

Mark Wotton represented the royal blues at Portsmouth Coastal Waterside marathon on 20th December. The race started in Southsea and followed the seafront eastwards, encircling Langstone harbour round to the southern tip of Hayling Island. From this point the runners returned to the finish by reversing their steps. It was a mixed terrain route with plenty of mud, made more testing on the day with long periods of heavy rain. Mark completed the race in 5.21.00 achieving 735th place out of 900 finishers. 

Thanks to Graydon and Ryan for the pics.