Some great performances by the Teignbridge Trotters at Bideford Half Marathon.

31 Trotters travelled to Bideford to take part in the Bideford Half Marathon on Sunday 6th March, excellently organised by Bideford Amateur Athletics Club.  The race was again a part of the Club Championship and on what was a cool day, many Trotters achieved some personal milestones.

Kevin Woodard led the Trotters home in a new PB of 1:19:56, whilst many other runners also ran personal bests including Peter Heckles, Julian Scanes, Graydon Widdicombe, Derek Skinner, Michael Smerdon and Suzy Mills.

Two Trotters took home some silverware after the race. Mandy Wheeler was the first Female V40 over the line in a great time of 1:32:20, and was also the first female Trotter to finish the race.   Meanwhile, Keith Anderson was 3rd V65 with a time of 1:45:06.

Also, Richard Stephenson, Sara Collman and Marie Taylor used the event as their first chance to test themselves over the Half Marathon distance.

Full results are: Kevin Woodard (01:19:56), Peter Heckles (01:26:14), Mandy Wheeler (01:32:20), Julian Scanes (01:32:27), Graydon Widdicombe (01:33:57), Mark Hutchins (01:35:25), Richard Gentry (01:35:35), Derek Skinner (01:36:07), Michael Smerdon (01:37:28), Travis Wood (01:37:55), Paul Sharples (01:40:32), Louise Gentry (01:40:56), Peter Blakesley (01:42:01), Neil Skinner (01:42:58), Matthew Dunn (01:44:14), Nigel Barnett (01:44:44), Stuart Moulson (01:44:54), Keith Anderson (01:45:06), James Donovan (01:49:04), David Dunn (01:51:01), Pete Hayward (01:51:53), Tina Caunter (01:55:48), Eleanor Taylor (01:56:22), Sara Collman (01:59:34), Kevin Besford (02:04:57), Richard Stephenson (02:08:20), Ruth Johnson (02:08:42), Marie Farrelly (02:26:33), Suzie Mills (02:28:31), Allen Taylor (02:44:29) and Marie Taylor (02:44:29).

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On February 28th, Derek Skinner and Paul Sharples took part in the Hameldown Hammer.  This is a very tough moor Half Marathon, which starts with a long climb up to the Tor.  The majority of the race is climbing up, until the last mile to the finish.  Runners have to keep their concentration as the majority of the route is off road.  The course is a very scenic one, and the race is very well organised by Pure Trail.  Paul managed 2:09:50 whilst Derek finished with a time of 2:15:40.

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Thanks for the contributions from Eleanor Taylor and Derek Skinner.

Pictures by Lance Mason.
 

Picture 1: Some of the Trotters before the start of the race.
Picture 2: Allen and Marie on the way to Marie’s first finish of a Half Marathon.
Picture 3: Richard Stephenson emerges from the tunnel