Scorcher at the Totnes 10K

The annual Totnes 10K hosted by the Teignbridge Trotters running club was held on Sunday 5th August 2018, an event, which supports Totnes Caring, a local charity. The race, now in its 19th year, is growing in popularity and was a sell out with 515 entrants. Roger Easterbrook and Ruth Johnson, co race directors, ably assisted by a large crew of marshals and support crew. The Totnes 10K continues to be South Devon's favourite summer race and attracts visitors and locals alike.

The mostly flat off-road course starts at Borough Park, ideally situated close to the Totnes Leisure Centre, follows the meandering River Dart through the Dartington Estate. Roger added, we're very grateful to Dartington Estate for allowing us to run on their wonderful grounds again which has helped raise a substantial amount for Totnes Caring.

The heatwave conditions didn't deter either the runners or spectators from turning out in large numbers. The atmosphere was terrific as the one mile Fun Run sponsored in memory of Peter Dixon started. The 164 runners of all ages set off around Borough Park, some with their mums and dads in close attendance. The race was won by Tom Stoppard in a great time of 5:16. First girl home was Hannah Carr in a very respectable time of 5:59. To see so many youngsters just having fun was lovely, as one spectator commented. There were various age category prizes awarded and a bespoke medal for all finishers.

There were 515 competitors in this years 10K. The race was won by James Baker (Chichester AC) in a great time of 35:19. 2nd athlete home was Arran Tocknell (Torbay Tri Club) in a very creditable 37:13. To complete the podium was South Devon runner, David Hampton in 37:34.

The ladies race was won by Amy Jones (South West Road Runners) in a time of 46:22. Chasing Amy home was Annabelle Evans from the Trotters in 47:56. 3rd home was Kate O'Brien with a time of 48:28.

Amongst the times achieved, there were 2 age category course records broken! James Baker smashed the MV40 record & John Shapland clipped just over a minute off the previous MV 60 course record. The course record holders for their respective age groups received £25 for their achievements.

Torbay Tri Club won the men's team crown, with the Teignbridge Trotters finishing second. The teams were:

Torbay Tri Club: Arran Tocknell, Lee Turner, Ian Tyson, Jon Parkinson, Andrew Longthorpe & Nigel Fenn.

Teignbridge Trotters: Tim Pratt, Gary Smart, Adam Johnstone, Mikey Johnson, James Saunders & Tom Mactaggart.

The Plymouth Musketeers lifted the ladies team prize, with Torbay Athletic Club finishing second. The teams were:

Plymouth Musketeers: Rachael Tarrant, Sam Martin, Sarah Robinson, & Dana Eyre.

Torbay Athletic Club: Sara Jane Crozier, Irene Hewings, Lisa Belsten, & Tesla Hearfield.

The Teignbridge Trotters all ran well. First Trotter home was Tim Pratt in 8th place (39:05) closely followed in 10th by Gary Smart (40;39). Other results were:

13th Adam Johnstone (41:08), 17th Mikey Johnson (42:41), 44th James Saunders (46:36), 52nd Annabelle Evans (47:36), 90th Tom Mactaggart (51:32), 106th Jushua Taylor (53:48), 136th Max Conroy (56:42), 192nd Claire Mills (1:00:23), 224th Richard Keatley (1:03:02), 293rd Katey Blackmore (1:07:56), 368th Teresa Holmes (1:15:54), 382nd Kay Shillabeer (1:17:17).

All the competitors received a medal for their efforts! They were suitably refreshed with the sponsor New Lion Brewery beer and an excellent array of homemade cakes managed by Lucy Payne and her staff. Thanks also goes to race sponsors Travis Perkins, China Blue, and Morrisons for their banana supplies. Also, Majestic Wines for the winning teams wine tasting prizes.

Since the Trotters took over the organisation of the Totnes 10K, the club has supported Totnes Caring, a charity which helps the elderly and disadvantaged people living in the area. The Trotters are proud to be able to help with such a worthwhile charity. Roger Easterbrook would like to thank all the runners, friends, families, the Trotter family, our fellow running clubs, sponsors and spectators for participating, helping, and supporting throughout the process.

For a full set of results visithttp://www.teignbridgetrotters.co.uk/our-races/totnes-10k

Report by James Saunders.

Life before the Totnes 10K

The race week started early as Eleanor Taylor ran the Neolith Fell race on Wednesday 1st August.Tavistock AC & Tamar Trail Runners staged the first running of the event. It was an 8 km race with a 300 metre ascent. The route started uphill to the South of Merivale and included Little Mis Tor, Great Mils Tor,and Roos Tor, finishingat the Dartmoor Inn. It also included a very welcome stream crossing! Mostly on good paths but some off path running to.As there had been little rain recently, conditions underfoot were very good for the runners. Although a 'Fell race', the course was well marshalled and marked clearly. The race was won by Adam Holland in a time of 38:10. Eleanor crossed the line in a time of 72:42, to finish 57th out of 71 finishers. Eleanor represented the Trotters very well at very short notice.

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On Friday 3rd August, Mark Wotton took part in the Grim Reaper Ultra 40 at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. In very hot conditions, Mark ran 4 x 10 mile laps across undulating grass farm land, limestone trails, and tarmac. The race started at 9.30 am and before the first lap had been completed the temperature had risen to 34 degrees. Many runners dropped out after 1 or 2 laps. Only 49 of the 72 entrants completed the 40 mile race!! Mark finished a very creditable 25th place in a time of 9.28.00. Marks finishing time included an hour on the side lines having medical attention to a large blister, which makes his finishing position that much better. Mark said he had a great time, and is considering running the 70 mile event next time!!

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On Saturday 4th August, Sue Tremlet, Miranda Stone & Kay O'Flaherty travelled up the road to Dawlish to take part in the 'Straight 8'. The lovely 8-mile mainly flat run from Starcross to Exeter quay, took in the beautiful estuary & canal paths. The race was well organised by Greenbow Running club. Sue ran the race last year, but bettered her time by 4:45 in much tougher conditions. A great effort especially as she set off far quicker than planned!!

Trotters positions and times - 71st Miranda Stone (1:14:56), 78th Sue Tremlett (1:16:39), 110th Kay O'Flaherty (1:25:26). There were 128 entrants.

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Graydon Widdicombe ran the Forest of Dean Trail Marathon on Sunday 5th August, in hot conditions.

This course was a short section out, then a loop, followed by the same short section back, and for the marathon it’s four lots of this. The course itself was surprising in that there were a few inclines/declines, with one in particular that was uphill for about 1.5 miles (1500ft overall for the marathon). It was all runnable though with nothing especially steep. The surface was mainly on fairly wide, compacted gravel/stone, although there was one section on a narrow mud path where it was single file for the runners.
It was a picturesque route, with one highlight being running around the side of a lake, but it was getting hotter as the race went on. Although some of it was in the shade of the trees, there were long stretches in direct sun light.
When Graydon saw the heat at the start he just decided to take it steady and see what happened. He ended up going through half way in around 2:01 so at that point, with the conditions, knew sub-4 was unlikely and he ended up finishing in 4:10. Graydon was happy enough with that as he kept plodding and enjoyed the day out.

It’s a nice race and quite a large event too with several 100 in the marathon, and even more in the half, with the 10k starting later. Afterwards, Graydon enjoyed a very nice ice cream and then went for a dip in the River Wye to cool off, which was very welcome indeed!