Numerous races, a great cause, and two Trotter records

35 Trotters took part in the 25^th running of the Torbay Half Marathon, on Sunday 26^th June. The popular race had nearly 1600 finishers, and with it being ran on closed roads is a different experience for many first time Half marathoners. Many commented that the conditions were good with little wind, and there was plenty of support out on the course, especially in the last 400m.

It was a very close shoot out at the front between Kevin Woodard and Tim Pratt with Kevin finishing strong to just edge Tim in the results. It was also the first time Joanne Sharples, Lucy Evans and Jo Barber have completed a Half Marathon, so it was great to see them out on the course.

The course can be challenging as it takes runners up and down Gasworks Hill twice, but a few Trotters got PBs today. They include James Alying who took 2 minutes off of his PB, with a time of 1:35:45 and Marie Farrelly also did a 2:20:14, which was a 6-minute PB for her.  Darren Petch managed over an 11-minute PB with 2:33:54.

Full Trotter results are:

Kevin Woodard (01:22:28, 28), Tim Pratt (01:22:29, 29), Jamie Barnett (01:26:49, 49), Peter Heckles (01:26:52, 51), Ewan Walton (01:28:40, 62), Craig Churchill (01:33:37, 113), James Ayling (01:35:45, 132), Peter Blakesley (01:41:08, 219), Gary Watson (01:42:55, 263), Kevin Sampson (01:43:59, 290), Melanie Dunn (01:44:09, 292), Graydon Widdicombe (01:44:30, 303), Pete Hayward (01:44:56, 320), Mark Gilligan (01:45:58, 352), Daryll Hall (01:50:07, 443), David Taylor (01:50:16, 451), David Bowen (01:52:38, 565), Matthew Isaac (01:58:09, 738), Kathryn Steemson (02:00:49, 832), Kirsty Bowman (02:02:03, 868), Kate Josephy (02:02:47, 881), Lucy Evans (02:03:53, 924), Derek Blackford (02:05:19, 955), Paul Sharples (02:07:30, 1022), Joanne Sharples (02:07:31, 1023), Paul Sharples (02:07:30, 1024), Graeme Baker (02:07:49, 1042), Kevin Besford (02:09:39, 1075), Angela Blakesley (02:11:03, 1123), Joanne Barber (02:12:46, 1170), Sharon Bowman (02:12:53, 1171), Marie Farrelly (02:20:14, 1297), Mark Walker (02:24:31, 1368), Darren Petch (02:33:54, 1462) and Suzie Mills (02:36:36, 1476).

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Jennie Roberts and Mike Hooper volunteered at the Torbay and South Devon Sight Impaired Taster Day on Saturday 25^th June, held at Torbay Leisure Centre. Both Trotters have attended guide running workshops and were contacted as they needed trained guide runners to help at the event.

Active Devon and Brixham Blind and V.I. club worked together to host an afternoon of drop in activities that anyone with a sight impairment could try. The sessions were delivered by trained coaches and were open to anyone with any degree of sight loss. Friends and family members were also encouraged to take part. Activities included: Bowls, archery, shooting, guided running, cycling (with tandem available), and swimming.

Jennie and Mike got the opportunity to guide run with several people, and Mike even volunteered to do a few laps of the velopark on the tandem. Most of these people hadn't been out on a bike in years so it was really good to see.

It was a very rewarding experience as they helped people to have some fun and have a go at a sport who wouldn't be able to otherwise, and Jennie commented that it was great to be able to share the enjoyment of running with others.

Jennie and Mike ran with a wide variety of people, both children and adults, with a wide range of abilities, and with varying degrees of sight impairment.

If anyone else is interested in attending a workshop about Guide Running, Sophie at Active Devon said she could try and liaise with EA and British Blind Sport and arrange another one in our area if we can get a good amount of people interested. She can be contacted by email: sophie.currie@devon.gov.uk

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Roger Hayes and Allen Taylor did the North Devon Marathon on Sunday 26^th June, which starts and finishes at Woolacombe. It’s recognised as the 6th toughest marathon in the country, with 3300 feet of ascent.

It’s a figure of eight course, with the second half of the course being much harder than the first. Despite the cloud cover, it was very warm conditions although in the last 6-miles it rained.

Roger and Allen ran together, with Allen finishing in 3:51:19 (22nd) and Roger 3:51:20 (23rd). There were 175 finishers

This was the 5th time that Roger completed this marathon, and he commented that it is one of his favorites. The views are spectacular along the coast path, which makes up over half of the course as it is 95% off road.

On the same course, Michelle Perring competed in the Half Marathon. She had set herself the target of going under 3hrs and she comfortably managed that with a 2:42.

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On Sunday 19th June, Dave Taylor continued his record-breaking streak, as he competed in the Martock 10K. The course was a pleasant one, taking runners along undulating roads through the Somerset countryside.

Dave knocked 1-second off of the previous time, with a 49:07 so now holds the club’s V70 Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K records

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For another club record, Henry Hart claimed the Trotter 10-mile record in the Junior Male category. Henry completed the Harry Hawkes 10 at Thames Ditton in 1 hr 23 seconds and was 15th out of 537 finishers.

Sally Ingledew and Lance Mason completed the Giants Head Marathon on Saturday 25^th June. They had a great day enjoying the Dorset countryside with White Star running at Sydling St Nicholas.

The route is extremely hilly, and Sally has done it all four times it has been ran, saying it’s the toughest race she’s ever done – but she loves it! It has very well stocked food stations and a 'love station' at 21 miles offering cider and vodka shots.  Lance and Sally ran together finishing in 5.29, which is a 10-minute PB for Sally.

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On Saturday 25^th June, Mark Wotton and Jimmy Donovan competed in the Dartmoor Beer and Bacon 6.5-mile fell race. The event race starts at the Fox and Hounds pub at Bridestow at midday and took in some very rough terrain including Brat Tor, Doe Tor, Hare Tor and Great Links Tor. The course had a lot of boggy ground and some very uneven and rocky moorland, plus and 3 rivers to cross. On a very warm day with some strong winds Mark came 14^th (1hr12) and Jimmy was 9th (1hour 6), out of a small field of 36 runners.

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Tim Hartley finished his third 'Barrathon', which is a half marathon held on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. Tim’s time was a pb in 2:13 improving on last years time by 7 minutes. Tim commented that the scenery running round the island was stunning. There were 239 runners and Tim came 180th.

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Also on Sunday 19th June, Dave Dunn ran in les Foulees du Port at Carentan-le-Marais, a flat two lap 7K race that was free to enter but without any times or positions being recorded. The course went up and down both banks of the canal, reminiscent of some of the Exeter races. After his marathon on the previous Sunday, Dave’s legs felt very tired on the second lap but he got round in 34:50. There was one other Brit taking part, a male vet 60 like Dave, from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers. Naturally Dave beat him, but his fellow vet did win a spot prize of wine and local delicacies!

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Finally, Lily Geraghty did her first half marathon in Swansea on Sunday, finishing in 1:57 and Sally Bullingham-Taylor finished her first ever 10k in Exeter, with an unofficial time 1hr 7mins.

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It was a very busy week this week, so thanks for all the contributions.  Apologies if I've missed anything.