Devon was the place to be for racing Teignbridge Trotters as February got underway

The racing snakes in the Teignbridge Trotters got their kicks in Devon this weekend, covering distances from 5k to 35-miles.

Lance ‘Skippy’ Mason and Steve Barker showed they were made of cast-iron stuff after completing the South Devon leg of the Coastal Trail Series on Saturday February 6.

Now in its 12th year the South Devon stage has become a cult classic. The course, contained within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) around Start Point, Prawle Point and Slapton Sands, is both picturesque and punishing.

Lance completed the tough course in 5:34.22 for 36th place Trotter Steve Barker went one step further, completing the 35-mile Ultra in 7:00.44, 28th place.

Jon Oxley and Graham ’Inky’ Penn popped over to Stover, Newton Abbot, on Saturday February 6 for a 5k race. It was a two lap course and the event was in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association.

The conditions were less than ideal: heavy rain and gale force winds with lots of mud made it exceptionally sticky. John finished in 26.55, 15th, and Inky slipped over the line in 29.08 and was 18th out of 31 finishers.

The first weekend in February ended in fine form with the fast and furious Fulfords 5 in Exmouth.

For many, but one in particular, it was a great day in the office. Geoff Davey was first V40 and was on the third place mens team alongside the also in-forms Jamie Barnett, Kevin Woodard and Tim Pratt. He was also part of the men's vet team that landed third prize with Julian Scanes, Mark Hutchins & Graydon Widdicombe. Unbelievable, Geoff.

Helen Anthony was second lady, Jacki Woon was second FV50 and Helen, Jacki and Kathryn Steemson picked up the second veteran team prize.

Finishers were: Geoff Davey 28.46 14th, Kevin Woodard 28.51 15th, Jamie Barnett 30.02 30th, Tim Pratt 30.38 29th, Helen Anthony 30.51 31st, Peter Heckles 31.23 41st, Julian Scanes 34.14 66th, Craig Churchill 34.34 69th, Mark Hutchins 35.07 77th, Graydon Widdicombe 35.11 78th, Bruce Campbell 35.50 84th, Gary Watson 36.15 89th, Jacki Woon 36.46 94th, Derek Skinner 37.26 104th, Nigel Barnett 37.45 106th, Pete Hayward 38.13 112th, Jon Oxley 42.36 154th, Eleanor Taylor 43.22 162nd, Tina Caunter 43.36 163rd, Kirsty Golden 43.41 164th, Claire Ayling 44.03 168th.

Report by Emma Pearcy

Photos show our mens captain in the endurancelife marathon, Jon Oxley and Inky at Stover and Jon at Stover - big well done to Jon who also ran the Fulfords 5 on Sunday! 

Pix kindly supplied by Skips, Inky and Jon.