Busy weekend including the Ladies' 10K (including a new club record), a new marathon club record, a race win and several Trotters travel to Barnstaple

Teignbridge Trotters staged the annual Ladies’ 10K, which starts and finishes at the beautiful Dornafield Caravan and Camping site, and this year is the 19^th year at the superb venue. In what was Angela Blakesley’s last race as Race Director, the weather was good, if a little windy in places, but the roads were mainly dry. The scenic course follows undulating rural roads throughout, with little traffic, and passes through local hamlets. And, at the finish of course, there were the legendary Trotter cakes!

Keen to encourage youngsters into our sport, the club were offering free entry to al 15-17 year olds for the first time, and 4 in this age group finished the race.

From a Trotter perspective, there were some great results. Lucy Payne knocked over 3 minutes of the club’s FV65 10K record, with a fabulous time 54:53.

There were two ladies in the placings for the FV35 category. Helen Anthony was first in this category, for a second place overall in a time of 40:26, whilst Sarah Burninhgam was second in this category with a time of 47:23. Additionally, Mandy Wheeler was third FV40, Jacki Woon was second FV50, and Lucy Payne was second FV60. Also, Trotters took home the first team prize, made up of the aforementioned Helen, Mandy, Melanie and Jacki.

There were also PBs for Trotters, including for Maggie Garrett (PB by 6-seconds) and Nikki Evans, and it was the first time Lucy Evans had raced a 10K.

Mr Dewhirst, who allows the use of Dornafield as the excellent race location, was presented with a cheque for £426 for his chosen charity, Bowel Cancer UK.

Well done ladies, and I hope I haven’t missed anyone. Also, well done to everyone involved with putting on this event.

In the largest entry since 2011, there 198 finishers, and full Trotter results are: Helen Anthony (2, 40:26), Mandy Wheeler (7, 44:35), Melanie Dunn (10, 44:58), Jacki Woon (13, 45:41), Tracy Elphick (46:12), Sarah Burningham (18, 47:23), Eyvoll Aston (19, 48:12), Kate Lenthall (22, 49:25), Carrie-Anne Labdan (29, 52:44), Lucy Evans (34, 53:19), Sue Hewings (38, 53:49), Kirsty Bowman (39, 53:56), Lucy Payne (49, 54:53), Claire Mills (51, 55:07), Kathryn Steemson (52, 55:22), Michelle Perring (56, 56:02), Laura Law (57, 56:09), Caroline Hayes (58, 56:09), Joanna Randall (66, 57:04), Cath Pilton (77, 58:20), Victoria Ratcliffe (78, 58:29), Beverley Dennis (81, 58:45), Claire Ayling (96, 60:03), Sharon Bowman (98, 60:06), Jo Becker (105, 61:23), Maggie Garrett (113, 61:53), Caroline Clark (115, 62:16), Alison Clayton (120, 62:58), Marie Farrelly (142, 64:08), Emma Iles (145, 64:42), Teresa Holmes (147, 64:52), Nikki Evans (148, 65:15), Susan Stokes (196, 83:04).

Thanks for the images from Nigel Penwarden.

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On Sunday 18^th September, David Taylor completed the London Duathlon.

The London Duathlon is the largest in the world, and the event took place in Richmond Park and the park was closed to traffic. Runners and cyclists had, however, to give way to deer when necessary!

Conditions for the Duathlon were cool and dry, perfect for both running and cycling. Several Duathlon distances are run on the same day, a sprint Duathlon, standard Duathlon and Ultra. David took took part in the standard Duathlon consisting of a 10k run followed by a 44k bike ride and 5k run.

This was David’s first attempt at a Duathlon, and he had never ridden a road bike any distance until about two months ago, so the learning curve has been steep. David commented that he did get around without incident in a time of 3:02:02, which was quicker than he expected. David also commented that although the event was not cheap to enter it was well organised and entrants received an excellent technical cycle shirt.

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Generally speaking, I order the races in the reports based on numbers of participants but this section could arguably be first billing in this week’s report – a new club record was set by Eleanor, and a great performance from Geoff!

Geoff Davey took part in the Bovey Beauty 10-mile fell race – and only went and won it! The moors and woodlands of the Bovey Valley provide the spectacular autumn backdrop for the Bovey Beauty, a 10 mile fell race over tough and hilly terrain. Geoff commented that when they say tough they really mean it, as the terrain forced competitors to scramble up through woodland on all fours, on occasion. Claiming his first win, Geoff finished in a time of 1:22:09.

Meanwhile, Eleanor Taylor took part in the Loch Ness Marathon, which is a very scenic course.  In what was a warm day, Eleanor broke her own FV55 club record, finishing in a time of 4:00:25.

Very well done to both.

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Richard Keatley had another weekend of marathons, taking part in an event on the Saturday and Sunday. This weekend takes his total for the month up to five.

On Saturday, he took part in one of the Enigma events, which is laps around Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes.  Several Trotters have done these events in the past, which are well organized and good medals are on offer. Richard took it easy, knowing he had another marathon on the Sunday and finished in 5:01.

On the Sunday, Richard travelled to take part in the single lap Robin Hood marathon in Nottingham, and Richard says there were many things to take in and enjoy on the way around. Richard finished in 5:20. 

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9 Teignbridge Trotters travelled to Barnstaple to take part in the third staging of the marathon, brilliantly organised by North Devon Road Runners. The route is of two loops, and is mainly on the Tarka Trail, which runs along the River Taw. The route also takes runners into RMB Chivenor, which although isolated, was a good section of the route.

With strong head winds for a lot of the race, conditions were tough in parts, although the rain mainly stayed away. In the second half of the race, the aid stations included cakes, sweets, flapjacks and gels (and even small shots of cherry vodka….) and support was good along the course.

Paul Dodson, in his first race as Trotter, managed a 15 minute PB for him. He finished in a great time of 3:36:30.

Kev Woodard had a tough day at the office today, in what was his first attempt at the marathon distance. He has been running really well and dug in to finish in 3:42:05. Many would rightly be pleased with this time but Kev knows he has more to come, and he did well to grind it out after saying he did struggle in the last 10K. Kris Ward and Peter Heckles also both said they struggled, but both dug in to finish the race.

Paul Sharples ran brilliantly to claim the 1st V60 prize, in a time of 3:59:25, whilst Karen O’Brien chose this event as her first marathon. Well done to both.

There were 204 finishers, and full Trotter results are:

Lance Mason (37, 3:29:39, 2nd V55), Paul Dodson (49, 3:36:30), Kevin Woodard (58, 3:42:05), Peter Heckles (72, 3:49:35), Paul Sharples (96, 3:59:25), Kris Ward (105, 4:05:13), Graydon Widdicombe (156, 4:39:50), Sally Ingledew (167, 4:54:07) and Karen O’Brien (201, 6:01:28).

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Thanks to Nigel Penwarden for the pictures from the Ladies' 10K. Thanks also to the contributions from David, Eleanor, Geoff and Richard, plus Chair for some race stats.