In-form Trotters tackle some tough races...

Twenty-one Teignbridge Trotters missed the bulk of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday May 23 to tackle the tough Muskies Madnes5.5 run in Plymouth. That’s either dedication or a clever swerve…

The race, organised by Plymouth Musketeers starts and finishes at King’s Tamerton Community Centre. The clear, warm evening meant great views of the Plym. The run started with one of the few flat bits - a one and a half mile lap of the football pitch.

From there it descended into Ham Woods before a climb out, then back up to the Community Centre. Sadly a sign in the woods had apparently been vandalised meaning the first 55 of the 226 runners cut a mile off the course.

First Trotter across the line and fourth overall was newcomer Tim Pratt in a time of 28mins and 55secs. Garry Smart was next in 29.29, earning the trophy for 1st M50-54 category and ninth place.

Next Trotter home was an on-form Roger Hayes in 30.19 and 10th. Junior Jamie Barnett in 31.47, 17th, followed. Next were Mark Hutchins 33.22 29th, Dermot Smyth 33.49 34th, Derek Skinner 34.08 35th, and Julian Scanes 34.14 36th.

Mandy Wheeler was 2nd female aged 40-44 in 35.02 and 41st place. Roger Hales in 35.50 46th was next Trotter. Wilf Taylor was first MV60-64 in 37.07 and 55th. Next Trotter was Neil Skinner in 45.24 61st. Second claim Trotter Hylda Stewart was 1st F50-54 in 47.43 and 92nd. Recent recruit to the Trotters Dave McMorrow was next to finish in 47.59 96th. Then Nigel Barnett 48.42 104th. Donna Walker 49.41 116th, Eleanor Taylor 52.53 154th, Katrina Zaple 54.01 164th, Lucy Payne 54.20 165th, Rod Payne 55.46 174th and Graham Penn 56.09 177th. They all collected well-earned t-shirts, goodie bags and pasties.

*Father and son Kevin and Tom Besford headed to Ash Town Tree Trail 7 miler on Thursday May 21. The race starts and finishes at Ash School and takes runners along country paths, ploughed fields, through Town Tree Nature Garden with lakes and even a waterfall. Tom, was 14th overall in 52.10 and Kevin was 45th in 1:03.40.

*Hannah Walsh took the Trotter vest to Weymouth for the Egdon Easy 10k clocking a new personal best of 41.55 and second lady overall.

*Don’t forget it’s Sandygate Loop this Friday evening. Check out the link on the left-hand side for more info.

Report by Emma Pearcy and Eleanor Taylor.

Photos kindly supplied by Suzie Mills and Graham ‘Inky’ Penn.

Photos show the Trotters at Muskies Madne5.5 and Garry Smart and Lucy Payne nearing the finish.