Dartmoor Vale races, two foreign marathons, and a tough championship race - plus two club records!

A large number of Teignbridge Trotters took part in the local Dartmoor Vale races, which starts in Newton Abbot. This respected local race tests the runners over three distances – 10K, Half Marathon and the Marathon.

In good conditions, 15 Trotters tackled the 10K distance, and they were led home by Jamie Barnett who finished in 4^th place overall, in a brilliant time of 36:29. The first lady home was Melanie Dunn, who finished in 44^th position in a time of 46:26. Also, there was a 1min23sec 10K PB for Maggie Garrett and a new PB for Nikki Evans over this distance, whilst Sam Riches was in his first ever race and managed 43:57.

Additionally, Graeme Baker ran brilliantly to knock over 2.5 minutes off of his own V75 club record, with a great time of 53:13.

There were 185 finishers in the 10K and full 10K Trotter results are:

Jamie Barnett (4, 36:29), Ewan Walton (5, 36:52), Sam Riches (27, 43:57), Tom Besford (42, 46:05), Melanie Dunn (44, 46:26), Kate Lenthall (52, 48:09), Sarah Pike (59, 49:15), Graeme Baker (90, 53:13), Jennie Roberts (93, 54:10), Claire Ayling (108, 56:32), Laura Law (118, 58:30), Margaret Garrett (131, 1:00:30), Scott Stephens (135, 1:01:33), Emma Iles (138, 1:02:05), Nikki Evans (140, 1:02:54) and Teresa Holmes (144, 1:03:23).

The Half Marathon race take runners through Chudleigh, and up a demanding hill at around half way, before undulating back down to the finish. The hill really tests the mettle of the runners, and the marathon ascends this hill twice. Still, there were some good results and the Half Marathon Trotter times are below, with Lucy Evans getting a PB and going under the 2hr mark for the first time, and Karen O’brien claiming a PB too.

Roger commented that him and Geoff had a good race, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He reckons he may have pipped Tim for second place if wasn’t for Tim’s sister warning him that Roger was fast tracking him down with 150m to go!

There were 201 competitors

Tim Pratt (2, 1:24:26), Roger Easterbrook (3, 1:24:29), Geoff Davey (4, 1:24:45), Julian Scanes (19, 1:33:52), Ashley Wood (25, 1:36:21), Peter Blakesley (41, 1:41:58), Hannah Jones (45, 1:43:39), Graydon Widdicombe (62, 1:49:47), Neil Rutley (64, 1:50:12), Neil Pallant (81, 1:53:29), Lucy Evans (97, 1:57:13), Sarah Collman (135, 2:10:06), Beverley Dennis (145, 2:13:45), Nicola Cousins (165, 2:19:36), Caroline Clark (172, 2:23:59), Karen O’Brien (185, 2:34:01), Suzie Mills (189, 2:37:42), Darren Petch (190, 2:39:15) and Mark Walker (193, 2:48:50).

There were 82 competitors in the marathon, and Sally Ingledew claimed 1^st F55+ prize, whilst Nigel Barnett took 16 minutes off is PB, to go well under the 4hr barrier. The Trotter results are: Mark Bentley (5, 3:16:07), Nigel Barnett (28, 3:49:45), Allen Taylor (27, 3:49:46), Roger Hales (32, 3:55:15), Alan Boone (33, 3:55:35), Nathan Elphick (39, 3:59:46), Richard Keatley (60, 4:31:01), Donna Walker (65, 4:38:00) and Sally Ingledew (76, 4:54:22).

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There were a couple of great marathon results, further afield. Firstly, Lucy Payne travelled to Dublin which this year was commemorating the centenary of the uprising. Lucy came fourth in her FV65 age category in a time of 4:23:15, which also broke the club record by over 90 minutes! It’s a big city marathon with 16,820 runners, and Lucy came 9903^rd.

Meanwhile, Mike Hooper travelled to Lucerne in Switzerland, to take part in the Swiss City Marathon. It was a 2-lap course, and a very picturesque one as the route took the runners around the city, Lake Lucerne and the Old Town. The course was undulating with two challenging hills, especially on the second lap. Mike commented that the organisation was fantastic and that the conditions were perfect for running.  Mike did a great 3:19.

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A group of Trotters travelled to South Molton, to take part in this year’s South Molton struggle. It is a tough, hilly cross country and road course, over about 7.8 miles.

Kevin Woodard led the Trotters home in a great time of 51:15 for 9^th overall, and Peter Hayward continued his recent good form claiming 1^st V55 prize in a time of 1:03:30. Full results are:

Kevin Woodard (9, 51:15), Peter Heckles (15, 53:39), Travis Wood (41, 1:02:57), Pete Hayward (44, 1:03:30), Jim Donovan (58, 1:08:05), Eleanor Taylor (87, 1:14:37), Kathryn Steemson (88, 1:15:36), Emma Pearcy (91, 1:17:07). There were 130 finishers.