Easter Bunney Trotters win age category awards in the heat at Yeovil

The Easter weekend kicked off on Good Friday with the Fast Friday 10K, run at Exeter. The fast, flat course was run on the footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick playing fields. The event was managed by City Run Events.

A large contingent of twelve Teignbridge Trotters travelled the short distance to take part in the event. The weather was warm and sunny with a light breeze.

Jamie Barnett ran another cracking race, using it for his London Marathon preparation. Jamie was 3^rd overall in a great time of 33:42, chasing home the eventual winner, Jack Bancroft representing Bristol & West AC. The winning time was 32:35.

Teignbridge came away from the event having won two age categories. Paul Sharples ran superbly to finish in 81^st position in a time of 46:13 to win the MV60+ category.

Peter Kirby walked away with the MV70+ category, having clocked a time of 51:33 to finish in 132^nd place. Well done to both of you.

The other Trotters positions & times were: Jacki Woon (63, 43:49), Derek Skinner (70, 44:45), Paul Dean (96, 47:25), Hannah Jones (99, 48:01), Sue Tremlett (152, 54:08), Sharon Sharples (166, 55:28), Mark Wotton (173, 55:40), Kirsty Bowman (238, 1:06:03), Teresa Holmes (245, 1:08:41). There were 253 finishers.

The 8^th running of the Kilmington Kanter also took place on the Friday, with four Royal Blues, Emma & Jim Donovan, Ian Langler and James Saunders making the trip to East Devon.

The race was organised by the Kilmington Primary School & Axe Valley Runners. The Kanter is a 7 mile multi-terrain race taking in the beautiful countryside around Kilmington and Shute. The route included two challenging hills, a host of stiles, a forestry section, across fields and some tarmac stretches.

There was a fun run before the main event, whereby the children ran a couple of times around the cricket pitch. It was great to see them all trying their best. Tom Merson was the pace maker!!

James Saunders led the quartet of Trotters home, finishing in 20^th place, in a time of 54:03. Ian Langler wasn’t far behind, posting a time of 55:42 to take 24^th position.

This was Ian’s first race in two years, so he should be proud of his effort. Ian’s two children took part in the fun run and they did themselves proud.

Jim Donovan ran a real gutsy race to finish in 61^st place in a time of 1:06:23 & Emma Donovan chased Jim home, crossing the line in 68^th in a very respectable time of 1:10:06. 

The race was won by Tom Merson representing Exmouth Harriers breaking the course record by three minutes. The new record is now 39:00!! Fantastic

Each finisher was offered a hot cross bun at the finish!! The event was superbly organised and the marshals were all very supportive, especially on the steep uphill sections. There were 89 very tired finishers.

The 5^th Club Championship race of the season took place on the Bank Holiday Monday. The 19^th running of The Easter Bunney 10K & fun run took place near RNAS Yeovilton and was organised by Yeovil Town RC. Twenty four Teignbridge Trotters travelled up the A303 hoping to gain some useful championship points.

The race route took the runners around the Somerset villages of West Camel & Podimore. Traditionally, a fast, flat course with a couple of bumps, ideal for that long awaited personal best!!

The weather was warm and sunny which made conditions difficult to achieve these targets.

Our ladies team comprising of Annabelle Evans, Susanna Goffe, Jacki Woon and Kathryn Steemson won the ladies team prize.

The first Teignbridge Trotter home was Lance Mason finishing in a superb time of 40:48 to finish in 30^th place.

The other Trotters positions and times: Christian Robinson (39, 42:11), Roger Hayes (51, 43:03), Annabelle Evans (56, 43:26), Stan Hayes (64, 44:23), Susanna Goffe (66, 44:33), Jacki Woon (82, 45:20), Bon Rymel (93, 46:34), Kathryn Steemson (108, 47:48), Roger Hales (47:57), James Saunders (112, 48:05), Nigel Barnett (115, 48:37), Peter Kirby (134, 51:00), Sarah Pike (135, 51:11), Scott Knight (144, 51:45), Alex Lyons (155, 52:26), Eleanor Taylor (167, 53:29), Phillip Norden (54:19), Lucy Payne (198, 55:55), Sally Ingledew (216, 56:34), John Skinner (228, 57:15), Keith Anderson (252, 58:42), Graham Baker (261, 59:15), Yasemin Jeffrey (354, 1:08:13). There were 455 finishers.

A children’s fun run was also organised before the main event. Claire Aylings two children, Lucy and Harry, ran fantastically well, and thoroughly deserved their Easter Bunney medals.

The events were superbly run, and the large number of supportive and encouraging marshals around the course was most welcoming, as the temperatures soared.