Trotters weather the storm to scoop silverware at Dalwood

A group of Trotters headed to East Devon for the Dalwood 3 Hills Challenge and as a race in the Club Championship there were points aplenty.

Although run as an independant race it's associated with and heavily supported by Axe Valley Runners. There's a 10-miler, 5-mile mini challenge and a fun run. Routes start and finish in the village of Dalwood which nestles between Honiton and Axminster.

The main race takes pleasure in punishing runners over farm tracks, streams, steep hills and muddy fields. Competitors pick their way around some fantastic and testing countryside but on this particular occasion weather conditions of driving icy rain and battering winds pushed many to the limit.

However some welcome results, coupled with ever-vocal Trotter support, friendly marshals and renowned post-race hospitality, ensured it was well worth the trip.

Jamie Barnett won his first race as a Trotter, claiming the crown for the mini challenge in 25mins 32secs.

In the 10-mile race Helen Anthony blazed a trail and was first lady home in 13th overall and 1hour 21mins 30secs. Tracy Elphick was first FV40 in 1:29.47 and Dave Dunn scooped 1st MV60 in 1:42.26.

The full (and freezing) list of Trotter finishers in a field of 91 runners were: Mike Mooney 1:24.52 18th, Mark Hutchins 1:30.34 25th, Martin Randall 1:31.53 27th, Travis Wood 1:32.25 29th, Roger ‘Smokes’ Hales 1:37.41 37th, Nathan Elphick 1:41.22 44th, Neil Skinner 1:41.50 45th, Keith Anderson 1:45.01 52nd, Jo Randall 1:47.20 56th, Derek Skinner 1:48.37 58th, Kirsty Bowman 1:56.11 70th, Lance ‘Skippy’ Mason 1:57.20 71st, Sally Ingledew 1:57.20 72nd, Ruth Johnson 1:58.04 73rd, Graham Penn 2:00.40 76th, Emma Pearcy 2:00.55 77th, Stephen Wallace 2:00.56 78th, Jim Donovan 2:06.06 79th, Sharon ‘Fizz’ Bowman 2:10.07 84th, Eleanor Taylor 2:10.43 85th.

*Kat Zaple completed the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Half Marathon at Lanhydrock House, Bodmin, on Sunday in 2:34.49. She braved similar blisteringly cold conditions with Sarah Ross, a second claim Trotter running in the vest of her first club Tamar Trotters. Both knocked four minutes off last year’s time.

*On Sunday 8 February Graham Penn left Devon for Chichester Priory 10k. The race followed a circular course out of the city through Goodwood and Lavant within sight of the South Downs. There was a strong wind blowing but it was sunny. Graham was 1,035th out of 1,646 finishers in a time of 54:48.

*See how Dalwood has affected the Club Championship standings by clicking the link on the left-hand side.

*Don't forget training starts earlier this Wednesday. We're meeting in the usual place at 6.30pm with the AGM taking place at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre at 8pm. Come along, meet your new committee members and have a natter.

Report by Emma Pearcy

Images show Jamie Barnett at Dalwood; Tracy Elphick, Dave Dunn and Helen Anthony also at Dalwood and Graham Penn at Chicester Priory 10k.

Photos kindly supplied by Rod Payne and Graham Penn