Royal Blues mix it up far and wide...

Racing (and supporting) season is in full swing with oodles to shout about after a brief news interlude.

In the wonderful world of running; times have tumbled, lessons have been learned, demons have been conquered and experiences have been shared and celebrated.

First up was the North Dorset Village Marathon on Sunday May 3. This rural race is an often-targeted race for many Trotters and a good alternative to the big city runs. Weather conditions were pretty schizophrenic, as Sharon ‘Fizz’ Bowman reports: “After travelling up in heavy rain, it somehow stopped at 8.30am, the time of the start of the race. It was blowy in parts but turned out humid and warm.”

Hannah Walsh had a storming race on the undulating country lanes finishing first senior female in 3:35.55 and 44th overall. Martin and Jo Randall showed true grit and battled through injuries to complete the race. Martin clocked 3:32.32 and 40th place and Jo 4:15.48 for 157th.

Tracy Elphick continued a great run of form passing the finish line alongside Martin in 3:32.32 and 41st place. Finishers were: Ashley Brent 3:36.58 47th, Noel Fowler 3:38.34 53rd, Stephen Barker 3:55.28 104th, Sharon ‘Fizz’ Bowman 5:00.59 236th. There were 274 competitors in total.

*Closer to home, the Crediton Crunch offered some tough but fun 10kilometres of off-roading for 180 runners from across the region on Sunday May 3.

Mandy Wheeler picked up some plaudits for being first FV40 in 48.56 and 35th overall. Results show: Daryl Milford 41.06 fifth, Tim Pratt 42.28 seventh, Roger ‘Chairman’ Hayes 42.52 ninth, Russ Wheeler 44.20 14th, Dermot Smyth 49.40 38th, Dave McMorrow 51.14 47th, Wilf Taylor 52.38 56th, Nigel Barnett 56.13 79th, Eleanor Taylor 1:03.52 134th, Tamsin Cook 1:04.12 138th, Lisa Godfrey 1:07.44 149th, Kim Nichols 1:09.58 154th, Kat Zaple 1:09.59 155th.

*A small posse headed to Bere Pen for the 10k of the same name on Sunday May 3. The route starts in the village and winds its way down to Weir Quay. The first half of the run is a very fast downhill making it easy for the runners to cover the ground in good time however, once they reach the flat it is then a very hard slog up some very steep hills before re-entering the village for a fast downhill to the finish. A superbly organised race by Bere Alston Trekkers, 140 runners pounded around the course.

Garry Smart was first M50 in 38.52 and sixth overall and Mark Hutchins was second in the same age category in 42.01 and 12th overall. Trotter finishers were: Roger ‘Smokes’ Hales 46.32 27th, Julian Scanes 46.42 30th, Peter Blakesley 49.01 39th, Keith Anderson 50.28 44th, Jennie Roberts 54.23 67th, Ruth Johnson 57.25 81st, Tina Caunter 1:00.59 103rd, Graham ‘Inky’ Penn 1:03.34 112th.

*13 Trotters completed the iconic London marathon, the big daddy of all races which requires no introduction but contains plenty of emotion. Life, current and new members stood shoulder to shoulder on the start line in an enormous field of runners from inspirational athletes to charity runners and trainer-wearing Wombles.

Graeme Baker, Tara Carter, Geoff Davey, Dave Dunn, Mark Hooper, Mark Hutchins, Sally Ingledew, Katherine Josephy, Peter Kirby, Daryl Milford, Jess Parkes, Lorna Spayne and Mandy Wheeler put in some great performances and for many Trotters not taking part, it was great fun cheering from the roadside or armchairs with many back in Devon getting together for a morning of tracking our runners and yelling at the television in support.

New member Mike Hooper clocked a huge personal best with 2hours 54mins 18secs, taking nearly five minutes off his previous best time at that distance and Mandy Wheeler did the ladies (and her family) proud with a new PB of 3:21.53. Trotter life member Dave Dunn ran his quickest 26.2mile distance in six years posting 3:57.14 and Peter Kirby, fresh from Manchester marathon the previous week, completed the race in 3:51.41. Peter’s time, coupled with that for Manchester (3:47.29) are both 'good for age' times - a huge accomplishment and fantastic preparation for the Dartmoor Discovery in June.

Completing the contingent were Daryl Milford in 2:51.49, Geoff Davey 3:08.11, Mark Hutchins 3:22.15, Lorna Spayne 3:26.21, Katherine Josephy 4:05.52, Sally Ingledew 4:44.15, Graeme Baker 4:52.27, Jess Parkes 5:18.15 and Tara Carter 6:10.39.

*Mark ‘Wurzel‘ Wotton continues his marathon tour with the Great Welsh Marathon on April 19. The multiple out and back race takes place in Llanelli on the sea front, a scenic route that runs on asphalt and shingle next to the beach. Mark, in marathon number 70, finished in 175th out of 233 runners in 4.27.53.

*Don’t forget we‘re moving to a new temporary home! Coombeshead Academy is closed to us on 11 May until 19 June. We’ll be meeting at Teign School, Kingsteignton from and on Monday 11 May up to and including Wednesday 17 June.

There is plenty of parking onsite as well as toilets, changing rooms and showers. We’ll bring the running attitude, coaching and sense of humour.

Report by Emma Pearcy

Photos kindly supplied by Lance ‘Skippy’ Mason and Graham ‘Inky’ Penn.

Photos show: Dave McMorrow and Wilf Taylor crunching at Crediton and a tight band of Trotters at the Bere Pen 10k.