Gary Smart and Adam Johnstone finish on podium at The Hydon Huff and Imerys Marathon

The Clyst Hydon Huff 10K and 2K fun run also took place on Sunday 19^th May.

This event was a Club Championship race, and the yearly Club trip organised by Kevin Besford. A coach was organised to take a large posse of Teignbridge Trotters to the venue, 4 miles south-east of Cullompton. Having raced, the Trotters hopped aboard the coach, and driven to a watering hole for a well-earned pint or two and a delicious carvery!!

All profits for the event was split between various charities within the village, including the school, the cricket club, swimming club & village hall.

The course was classed as multi-terrain but 50% of the route was run on quiet country roads. There were two major hills to climb, the first directly after the start and the second through the forest at the four mile point. The scenery on the off road part of the race was beautiful, with swathes of bluebells on the steep drops each side of the paths. There were also areas of bog to navigate through, and one particularly deep water section to cross.

The race was superbly organised, and all the marshals were very supportive along the route.

Gary Smart took the full 50 points on offer by finishing in a fine 3^rd place overall. Gary clocked a great time of 42:55, to only finish 54 seconds behind the eventual winner Mark Jeffreys.

Hannah Jones also ran particularly well and doing so won the FV35-44 age category award. Hannah was the first female trotter across the line, finishing 27^th in a time of 53:13.

Kathryn Steemson chased Hannah home, to finish in 32^nd spot in a great time of 54:32. Kathryns efforts also won her the FV45-54 age category prize.

The other Trotters positions and times were: Ian Langler (10, 47:26), James Saunders (12, 48:12), Jason Trevenen (17, 48:50), Derek Skinner (24, 51:46), Paul Sharples (29, 53:41), Tom Besford (31, 54:19), Bon Rymel (38, 55:25), Alex Lyons (45, 57:46), Gary Brooking (46, 58:03), Paul Dainton (50, 59:23), Corinne Bright (57, 1:00:50), Eamon Crowe (1:01:42), Mark Wotton (60, 1:01:51), Scott Knight (62, 1:01:52), Sharon Sharples (63, 1:02:26), Ruth Johnson (65, 1:02:47), Caroline Clark (66, 1:02:52), Kate Williamson (67, 1:02:55), Claire Ayling (68, 1:02:59), Eleanor Taylor (69, 1:03:09), John Skinner (80, 1:05:52), Carrie Anne (82, 1:06:04), Ed Hounsell (85, 1:06:35), Sue Tremlett (86, 1:06:51), Graham Baker (87, 1:07:34), Keith Anderson (88, 1:07:41), Alison Clayton (94, 1:09:31), Lucy Evans (95, 1:09:31), Emma Ray (96, 1:09:31), Richard Keatley (97, 1:09:31), Sara Keatley (98, 1:09:31), Kay Shillabeer (111, 1:13:32), Kevin Besford (120, 1:17:20), Maggie Bishop (125, 1:19:15), Andy Distin (127, 1:20:37), Melanie Saunders (139, 1:37:57), Louise Stokes (140, 1:52:10).

A special mention for Melanie Saunders and Louise Stokes who performed exceptionally well, having both had training setbacks lately.

This was Mel’s first competitive race since October 2017, having had back surgery and Louise has struggled to overcome various injuries.

In the 2 km fun run, Kay Shillabeers two children, Luca and Rubi both won their age categories!! Perhaps we have witnessed the new talent coming through the ranks, with the encouragement of Kay.

On a busy Sunday of racing, The Cornish Imerys Trail Marathon & Half Marathon took place. Organised by St Austell RC, Cornwall College & Imerys the race is also part of the multi terrain race series.

Imerys is the world leader in mineral based specialities for industry.

The route took in the scenic trail runs of china clay country, not normally accessible to the general public. The challenging course took the runners through the current operational site and land that has been regenerated from its industrial past.

The first few miles of the race is through the grounds of the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum. The majority of this race was run on trails and sand roads and also included an area of private farmland linked by small sections of road. The overall elevation of the race was 871 metres, but with this came the breath-taking views of the Cornish countryside and the coastline beyond.

Ten Trotters travelled down to The Duchy for these very popular races. They all ran superbly well and came away with some team and age category awards.

Adam Johnstone spearheaded the Trotters efforts, by finishing in 3^rd position overall in a time of 3:21:11. Adam also won the MV35-39 age category trophy.

Kris Ward was next across the line, in 4^th place, clocking a great time of 3:29:22.

Teignbridge not surprisingly due to the high finishing positions, won the Men’s Team Event award. Adam, Kris were part of this the triumphant team, ably assisted by Allen Taylor and Roger Hayes. Allen also finished 3^rd in the MV45-49 age category.

The other Trotters times and positions were: Allen Taylor (15, 3:43:32), Roger Hayes (16, 3:47:41), Stephen Barker (65, 4:16:54), Neil Pallant (93, 4:42:33), Nigel Barnett (95, 4:44:38), Sally Ingledew (135, 5:31:25). Stuart Nicholas won the event in a time of 2:59:12. There were 146 finishers.

Jacki Woon and Sarah Pike took part in the Half Marathon distance. Jacki ran very well, to finish in 84^th place, in a time of 1:55:57. Jacki also claimed 3^rd place in the FV55 age category. Sarah finished two place back, in 86th spot, in a time of 1:56:07. Well done ladies.

Julia Street “Raced The Tide”, a Puretrail Running event, being held for the 3^rd year.

Staged in the glorious setting of the Flete Estate, Mothercombe, Plymouth, 3 races were on offer. A woodland trail 8.5 mile, a 15.5 mile long half marathon and a long marathon distance race of 28.5 miles. The start times were set to coincide with the low tide. All the courses are designed to combine a mix of private footpaths, SW coastal path, bridle paths, across country fields and through woodland.

Julia plumped for the 8.5 mile race, which was centred around the grounds of the private estate on beautiful woodland trails, but still raced the tide crossing the Erme Estuary at mile 8.

Julia finished in 121^st position in a very good time of 1:42:13. There were 168 finishers. Tim Gordon won the race in 55:29.

The Exeter Live Better Marathon also took place on Sunday organised by Exeter City Community Trust.

The course has been designed for runners competing in their first marathon, as well as the more experienced runners looking for a quick time.

The three lap course started at St James Park, before heading towards the Riverside Valley Park. Here the runners ran along the foot paths and cycle tracks alongside the River Exe and the Ship Canal.

Matthew Steele and Matthew Day represented the Trotters. They both ran cracking races, clocking exceptionally good times.

Matthew Steele finished well up the leader board, finishing in 18^th place in a superb time of 3:15:15.

Matthew Day was highly delighted with his performance, having broken the 3:30 barrier after 28 years of trying! Matthew came through the line in 3:28:54, to finish in 35^th place.

Adam Holland representing Tavistock AC won the race in a time of 2:50:10.

There were 241 finishers.

On Sunday 19^th May, the Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon took place in Plymouth.

Hundreds of runners gathered at the start on the Hoe Promenade at 0830. Weather conditions were perfect for this popular event in the racing calendar.

From the start, the runners headed towards Millbay Docks, before making their way up Royal Parade, cheered on by the enthusiastic road side supporters. The stream of runners then headed out past The National Marine Aquarium and out onto Embankment Road, which runs parallel with The River Plym, heading out of the city. An about turn, half way along, before crossing Laira Bridge and onto the first major climb at the 4.5 mile point. A 4% gradient hill proceeded, before the runners received a rest bite as they travelled along Haye Road towards Saltram Park. A 7% gradient hill within the park, tested the runners, before a long downhill stretch through the park down to the banks of the River Plym. At the 10.5 mark, the runners crossed Laira Bridge for a second time, before heading back towards the city. They then skirted the Barbican, where the streets were lined with excitable spectators. The final stretch took the runners along The Hoe and up onto the Promenade to a raucous finish.

Five Trotters travelled south to Plymouth to compete. Sam Crowe was our lead runner, creating a new personal best of 1:28:57 to finish in 111^th position. Well done Sam!

The other Trotters positions & times: Joe Hornsby (157, 1:32:00), Max Conroy (807, 1:51:24), Peter Kirby (889, 1:55:37) Katey Blackmore (1661, 2:08:56). There were over 3500 runners!

Bob Small has trained specifically and assiduously for this race, with the twin aims of setting a new personal best and breaking the 1:50 barrier. There was an additional lure for the Plymouth event: England Athletics has nominated this race as one of the three around the country, where the first four in each age group will be selected to represent England in the Age Group Masters event, to be held in the Maidenhead Half Marathon in September.

Bob is hoping that his finishing position of 612^th and his new personal best time of 1:47:50 will be good enough to run for England in the over 70 age group. Bob finished 20^th out of 84 in the over 60’s age category. He should hear shortly if he has been successful. Bob has had a great 8 weeks, having set new PB’s in 5K, 10 mile and half marathon distances.

Tom Merson representing Exmouth Harriers, won the race in 1:06:03.