A busy weekend for Trotters far and wide

Several Trotters travelled to Exeter, to take part in the city’s Great West Run Half Marathon.

It was quite a warm run especially through the woods (the long out-and-back section between 4 & 8 miles, which some found a challenge!) and very hilly particularly in the second half. Neil Pallant was the 2-hr pacer (and took the opportunity to schmooze with the stars, naturally!), and there was lots of camaraderie and support out on the course.

There were some great times and PBs for Trotters including Emma Ray (11-minute PB), Andy Distin (6-minute PB) and Louise Stokes (3.5-minute PB). It was also AJ De Montjoie’s and Deborah Hart's first Half Marathon and they both loved running in Trotters colours.

Trotter results were:

Ewan Walton (42, 1:22:17), Scott Green (204, 1:34:23), Melanie Dunn (280, 1:36:45), Jason Lewis (463, 1:42:16), Bon Rymel (1044, 1:55:06), Mary Goulden (1218, 1:55:37), Neil Pallant (1189, 1:56:45), Sue Tremlett (1310, 1:59:20), Dermot Smyth (1396, 1:59:34), Emma Ray (1355, 2:00:23), Claire Mills (1497, 2:02:13), Deborah Hart (1537, 2:02:55), Kate Williamson (1856, 2:11:35), Andy Distin (2119, 2:14:48), AJ De Montjoie (2168, 2:16:42), Teresa Holmes (2339, 2:21:06), Dave Mcmorrow (2430, 2:22:23), Darren Petch (2615, 2:29:42), Louise Stokes (2757, 2:43:12) and Kay O’Flaherty (2758, 2:43:12). There were 2903 finishers.

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Three Trotters travelled to Birmingham for the first Birmingham International Marathon since 1989. Weather was overcast and threatened rain before the race, which didn't reflect the hot weather that was forecast. Luckily it didn't rain but did become fairly warm and the sun broke threw on occasions.

Approximately 10k of the race was a double loop and the rest was a single lap, finishing close to city centre. Crowd support was quiet at first but soon picked up and runners were made to feel very welcome. The two-lap section was hard mentally but once over we all knew we were on homeward straight.

Also, the race started in the Alexander Stadium, which was a real highlight, as the competitors were running on the same track as legends like Mo Farah

Lucy Evans PB 4:06.21 taking 16 minutes off her PB, Oli Prouse 4:25:07 and Daryll Hall 4:57:54.

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Mark Wotton travelled to Wiltshire on Sunday to take part in the Grittleton 10k, ran in a small village just on the outskirts of Chippenham. The race started at the village hall and winds its way around an undulating course through quiet country lanes, in one complete loop taking in a couple of very scenic villages. Mark commented that it was a great little race, which was sold out. Mark came 228 out of 350 runners in a time of 52.54.

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Kurt Read completed the Leicester Marathon on Sunday 15th October, which followed Chester Marathon last week. Kurt finished both in 3.35 and he has Venice planned for next week.

Leicester was the same course as usual, finishing in Victoria park after a mile long hill. It was quite warm too, but Kurt was pleased with the finish and his daughter also ran in Half (pictured here with friends).

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A couple of Trotters travelled to Eden Project Marathon on Sunday 15th October.  On what was a really cool and cloudy day, it was perfect for running on picturesque and challenging course with fantastic views. The route involves climbing to the top of a Tor to be rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view over Cornwall.

This marathon is a really different style of route, as it’s two undulating loops followed by an 8 mile run back to the Eden Project, and it was amazing to see the project as the runners made their way back to the finish.

Stephen Barker finished in 4:19:04, and Richard Keatley was very happy to have completed in 5:24:30. This was Richard’s 42nd marathon for the year, with 10 left in 2017. 

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Graydon Widdicombe travelled to Burton Bradstock in Dorset, to take part in the marathon event on Sunday 15th October.

The race was organised by Beyond Events and included a 5K, 10K and Half option too. The Marathon was essentially two loops that were each ran twice. Starting in a farm and ran on small country lanes, it had a much more “rustic” feel than Munich, but it was a great, friendly, well-organised event. The picturesque course was undulating and took in some lovely views over the Dorset countryside, as runners went through some small villages and past farms along with inquisitive-looking cows, with friendly marshals and ample signage.

Graydon finished in 3:54, and enjoyed his day out in Dorset.

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Thanks for all the contributions, and pictures.