Trotters tackle Devon’s dales, an Iron Lady is made and Mark’s marathon mission continues…

It‘s been a busy few days for the Trotters.

An epic display of strength, agility and stamina has cemented Tracy Elphick’s reputation an Ironman, Outlaw and Trotter marvel.

Tracy pulled on the Royal Blue vest to compete in Britain’s premier full distance triathlon race: The Outlaw in Nottingham. The 2.4-mile swim takes place in the regatta lake at the National Water Sports Centre, the 112-mile bike ride around local roads and the 26.2-mile run charts a fast route around the lake and River Trent path.

Tracy’s enduring focus and commitment to her all-round training regimen meant she absolutely killed it, completing the swim in 1:16.13, bike in 6:05.49 and run in 4:03.40 for a total time of 11 hours, 48mins and 13secs including transitions. This placed her fourth F40 and 307th position of 988 participants (including relays).

*Six Trotters travelled to Kingsbridge on Thursday 23 July for the annual Kingsbridge 10k. The one thing you need to know about Kingsbridge’s 10k road race is that it is hilly and it is hard. To conquer it, you either dig deep or walk bits of it, however runners are rewarded with a fine evening out, friendly marshals and a commemorative T-shirt. The race is gaining in popularity and this year attracted a record 169 entries.

The race route travels out the town through the main street and along quiet country lanes with steep ascents and fast descents. Roger Easterbrook led the team home coming seventh overall in 39.47. Kevin Woodard made a great impression in his first 10k road race as a Trotter clocking 43.59 for 15th overall. Next was the in-form Jim Donovan in 52.07 75th, Kat Zaple chopped nine seconds off her 2014 time with 59.21 129th, Graham ‘Inky’ Penn was 147th in 1:02.57 and Emma Pearcy was just glad for it to end so she could buy some fish and chips. She posted 1:03.27 and 148th place.

*Another oversubscribed race was this year's Sibelco Cornwood 10K Challenge and Fun Run on Saturday 25 July 2015. The 10km run around Cornwood and Lutton is mostly on roads but with some tracks and fields thrown in. This year was a fast one with both the male and female records broken. 

Running strongly were Chris Cleave, 43.31 for 26th place, and Ian Langler 43.55 and 28th. Sally Ingledew and Lance ‘Skippy’ Mason ran together clocking 58.21 for 151st and 152nd respectively and Graham Penn was 171st in 1:02.00. There were 204 finishers.

*Saturday’s blue skies and yellow sunshine gave way to grey clouds and fat raindrops on Sunday but it did not dampen the Trotter spirit for running! (sorry - couldn't resist).

A crew rocked up to Dalwood for the 10k race on Sunday along with 50-plus other runners and landed three top 10 places and some runner-up prizes.

Hannah Walsh and Mandy Wheeler bagged more silverware, taking home second and third female prizes. Adam Johnstone continues his great racing performances with fourth place and Iain Large put in a fantastic race for sixth place. 

Results are: Adam Johnstone 43.06, fourth overall, Iain Large 45.29 sixth overall, Mark Hutchins 47.57 10th, Hannah Walsh 48.35 14th, Mandy Wheeler 48.43 15th, Neil Skinner 50.58 22nd, Roger Hales 51.17 23rd, Martin Randall 52.30 27th, Pete Hayward 53.02 29th, Jo Randall 54.05 31st, Sally Ingledew 1:03.54 43rd, Tina Caunter 1:04.23 44th, Bev Dennis 1:05.25 47th, Graham Penn 1:08.01 51st, Kim Nichols 1:08.11 52nd.

*Helen Anthony and Keith Anderson headed north for the optimistically named Seaview 17 on Sunday 26 July. This 20-mile self-navigating run along the South West coast path travel from The Exmoor Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury, to Minehead Rugby Club. At times the 100 or so runners battled powerful headwinds and the trail was muddy in places. Our ladies captain was second lady home in 3.06, 18 minutes faster than her previous attempt in 2013, and Keith finished in 4.04.

*Mark ‘Wurzel’ Wotton has reached a landmark point in his 100 marathon mission after completing race number 80 on Saturday.

His event of choice was the Thames Trail Marathon. The Thames Trail Marathon is a mid-summers evening marathon distance run which starts from the Wokingham Waterside Centre and follows the Thames Path west on an out and back route following the river from which it takes its name.

There’s also a half marathon and competitors join the longer distance runners at 8pm with a string of bobbing head torches illuminating the path as light began to fade.

Mark completed the full distance in 5:10.27 and was 22nd out of 33 runners.

On Sunday July 19 the day after completing the Dorset Invader marathon (see last week’s report for details), he completed the Wild One Marathon in Worcester. The multi-lap race is normally held at Perdiswell Park but was relocated three days beforehand because travellers set up unauthorised camp in the park grounds.

Organising club the Black Pear Joggers did a magnificent job of reorganising it with short notice and Worcester’s Bishops Perowne C of E College offered the use of their grounds. Mark completed the race (20 laps!) in 5:31.36 64th place in the overall solo and team standings.

*July's Sandygate Loop is this coming Friday. You know what to do. If you're new to it, check it out by following the link in the menu on the left-hand side.

Report by Emma Pearcy

Photos of Trotters at the Cornwood Challenge and Dalwood 10k kindly supplied by Graham Penn.