Trotters take on the hills of Dalwood as part of the Club Championship, Richard Keatley does his first Ultra and Lisa Godfrey and Oli Prouse compete in moonlight events

Eleven Trotters made their way to the lovely village of Dalwood, situated between Axminister & Honiton, to take part in the 2016 Dalwood 3 Hills Challenge on Sunday 28th Feb.

The ten-mile multi-terrain course is tough and consists of 4 hills (not 3!), as well as multiple river crossings. Conditions were much better than last year, the sun was out and the ground dry for the most part. The event is very well organised by the Axe Valley runners, marshalling excellent and post race home made cakes delicious!

First Trotter home was Geoff Davey in a time of 1:15:51 for 6th place. First lady Trotter was Tina Caunter in 1:56:43 (14th lady, and 67th place overall).  

Other results: Bruce Campbell (1:28:29, 22), Craig Churchill (1:30:04, 26), Mark Hutchins (1:30:48, 28), Dave McMorrow (1:37:30, 37), Pete Hayward (1:38:45, 39), Jimmy Donovan (1:39:02, 40), Eleanor Taylor (1:59:14, 68), Lucy Payne (2:03:27, 71) & Jo Billyard (2:08:59, 75).

Although she took a tumble whilst on the course, Lucy Payne still managed to secure the F60 ladies trophy, so very well done to her.

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On Saturday 20th February, Richard Keatley competed in The Winter Railway Ultra, which was a 28-mile race, and the conditions were mild. It involved a very early start from Devon, with a trip up to Telford in Shropshire. The event was organised by “How Hard Can It Be” events.

The event took place on a lovely, quiet railway line that was 3 out and back loops of just over 9 miles each, on quite unforgiving terrain. Richard struggled at about 18-mies, but then got his second wind and finished very strongly for his first event that was longer than the marathon distance. Richard was quite rightly delighted with his effort, bringing back memories of when he did his first marathon back in 2008.

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Lisa Godfrey competed in the Wildnight Run Moonlight Flit 10K event, in Totnes on Saturday 27th February.  This is an offroad trail race, ran at night.

Lisa completed the course in 1.07.56 for 33rd overall.  Lisa commented that it was a really tough course, with an absolutely enormous hill right at the beginning, which certainly got the blood pumping!

On the same evening, Oli Prouse competed in the Half Marathon event which was another challenging course.  Oli completed the event in 2:31:01, for 42nd overall.

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First photo. Bruce and Craig at Dalwood
Second photo. Lucy and Eleanor at Dalwood
Third photo. Richard with his medal

Thanks for the contributions from Bruce Campbell, Richard Keatley and Lisa Godfrey.
Pictures from Sharon Hutchins and Richard Keatley.