Jamie Barnett breaks club half marathon record at Taunton and Allen Taylor breaks three hours at Manchester

Twelve Teignbridge Trotters made the journey north to run in The Asics Manchester Marathon. Launched in 2012, this marathon has received rave reviews from previous participants for its professional delivery, fast flat route and the amazing crowd support around the course.

The Manchester marathon is the 2^nd largest in the UK & one of the biggest in Europe. The race has three charity partners, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s and Just Giving.

The race started on Chester Road before heading towards Sale. The runners then passed through Timperley into Altrincham. Many spectators lined the streets as the race proceeded on towards Sale West and Ashton Upon Mersey. The 20 mile point came and went as they ran along Carrington Lane, before passing Urmston and onto Stretford Road. This signalled that the finish was only 2 miles away at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Allen Taylor led the way for the Trotters, finishing in 729^th position and also achieve an 8 minute PB in his 95^th marathon. Allen crossed the line in 2:58:08. What a fantastic time!!

There were also two other personal bests from Emma Ray and Suzie Mills. Emma smashed her previous best time set at the City to Sea Marathon by 1 hour, 40 minutes to finish in a time of 4:43:38. Look out, Emma’s closing in!! Suzie also sliced 19 minutes, 5 secs off her previous best time set at the Cornish Marathon. Suzie completed the race in 4:59:43.

The other Trotter times were: Jason Trevenen (3:24; 48), Susanna Goffe 93:31:22), Peter Kirby (3:55:47), John Holland (3:57:21), Kevin Sampson (4:05:07), Kate Williamson (4:22:43), Oli Prouse (4:25:53), Amy Robson (4:34:35), Andy Distin (5:09:57).

Andy also posted a new PB for himself by clipping another 3 minutes off his previous best. A special mention for Jason Trevenen, as this was his first competitive marathon. He has set the bar high with this outstanding time!!

The 36^th running of the Taunton half and Marathon races also took place on Sunday. A large contingent of Teignbridge Trotters made their way to Somerset to take part.

The start and finish took place at the Bridgewater & Taunton College, home of all the previous 35 events! The nominated charity was SURE, and will get a donation from every entry fee received.

The route took the runners through the main streets of Taunton, before heading out into the Somerset countryside, passing through Norton Fitzwarren. The field then headed south past Hele, Fideoak, Upcott and into Bishops Hull village, before returning back to the college. The marathon runners then repeated the loop for a second time.

There were eight water stations along the route, manned by the local Guides and Scouts. There were plenty of encouraging marshals around the course giving lots of encouragement.

There were some outstanding performances from our club runners in both the marathon and half marathon.

Kris Ward was the first Trotter home in the marathon, finishing in 19^th position in a new PB time of 3:14:22. Kris thoroughly deserves this result, due to the miles he puts in on a weekly basis.

Lance Mason also ran a superb race to finish 22^nd in a time of 3:15:01, and win the MV55 category award.

Stan Hayes won the male under 20 category, finishing in 31^st place overall, in a time of 3:20:37. A fantastic time especially as this was Stan’s first marathon?

The other Trotters positions and times were: Christian Robinson (24, 3:16:42), Alan Boone (29, 3:20:26), Roger Hayes (32, 3:20:38), Nigel Barnett (72, 3:40:49) and a new PB by 8 minutes, Paul Sharples (92, 3:45:42), Travis Wood (111, 3:53:26), Eamon Crowe (180, 4:27:58) and yet another PB by 15 minutes & Lucy Evans (192, 4:39:58).

The club also finished in 2^nd place in the team event! 

In the Half Marathon race there were yet more fine performances from the clubs runners, with awards and PB’s galore!!

Jamie Barnett was again our club talisman, by finishing in 2^nd place and again lowering the club record for this distance. Jamie’s time was 1:09:44, to slice another 33 seconds off the previous record set at Reading last month.

Julian Scanes ran fantastically well and has definitely gone up the gears having recently returned to training. Julian finished in 62^nd position and his time of 1:27:25 was a new PB by 2 minutes 36 secs. More to come possibly?

There were personal bests for Martin Randall (1 minute 25 secs), Alex Lyons (5 mins) & Claire Ayling (2 secs). Well done to the three of you.

Jamie Barnett and Jacki Woon also walked away with a trophy each! Jamie won the Senior Male category and Jackie took first place in the FV55 category. Well done to you both.

The other Trotters positions and times were: Geoff Davey (24, 1:21:33), Martin Randall 978, 1:29:29), Mandy Wheeler (108, 1:33:37), Jacki Woon (168, 1:39:00), Paul Dean (225, 1:42:21), Daniel Graves (1:49:02), Alex Lyons (387, 1:51:50), Claire Ayling (472, 1:56:05), John Tweedy (481, 1:56:09), Sharon Sharples (499, 1:57:04), Lucy Payne (568, 2:01:15), Susanne Westgate (636, 2:05:55), Graeme Baker (673, 2:09:00).

A fantastic result for the Teignbridge Trotters as a club today, and cements our position as one of the leading clubs in the south west. Keep up the good work.

Eleanor Taylor, Joe Hornsby, Gavin Forbes, Neil Pallant and Darren Maynard for their sins, took on the JP’s Exe to Axe, a grade B fell race, organised by Sidmouth RC. The 17^th running of the race has recently be renamed in memory of John Perratt, who was a founder member and long term Treasurer of the home club, and was a huge contributor to the sport in East Devon.

The first running of the event started at Seaton and finished in Exmouth, but from 2005 onwards the route was reversed. Originally the route was just over 20 miles, but due to a landslip in 2012 on the outskirts of Seaton, a detour meant that the race distance is now nearer 22 miles!!

The race started on Exmouth seafront and followed the South West coast path. The runners enjoyed the great views while also having to navigate along the narrow footpaths. The weather conditions were just about perfect for a race of this magnitude. Very few marshals were required as the route was quite explanatory! The race brief was simple! Follow the acorns and keep to the path! Total elevation exceeded 4000 feet.

The runners were treated to a relatively easy start as they entered Sidmouth from Ladram Bay, before taking on the hills at Salcombe, Weston and Branscombe.

Joe Hornsby led the Trotters home finishing in 60^th position in a time of 3:41:56. A great time for such a difficult course.

The other Trotters positions and times: Gavin Forbes (152, 4:28:35), Neil Pallant (203, 5:03:51), Darren Maynard (5; 05:13) & Eleanor Taylor (211, 5:12; 17). There were 325 very tired finishers!!

On Saturday 6^th April, Julia Street ran the South West Coast Path Challenge, formerly known as the Head to Head Trail Running Challenge. The 3^rd running of the event was organised by Trail Events and offered runners three different distances to run. They were 12k, half or the full marathon distances.

Julia opted for the 12k race distance. Weather conditions were dry but very windy. The runners headed out towards East Soar & over rolling fields leading to Bolberry, with views as far as the eyes could see. They then made their way up to Bolberry Down and followed the coast path back towards Bolt Head at Salcombe. The runners then raced back to East Soar Farm to the finish.

Julia finished in a time of 1:37:48 to finish 103^rd. There were 123 entrants.

Graydon Widdicombe and Gavin Mackay competed in NM Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday 7th April, which is the most popular marathon in The Netherlands (followed by Amsterdam and Eindhoven). This is an IAAF “Gold Label” event which designates it as one of the leading road races in the world, and as such, it attracts a high quality field, on what is a flat and very fast course. The men’s world record time was achieved here between1985 and 1998. 

Rotterdam is The Netherlands’ second city and around 14537 people finished the event this year. The course is a good one as it initially takes runners over the famous Erasmus Bridge (known to locals as “The Swan”, due to its shape), past Feyenoord’s stadium and also via the unusual Cube buildings. It also takes the runners back over Erasmus Bridge and around a loop of the north of the city, before a flat finish where crowds of spectators line the route.

In warm conditions, Graydon managed a pleasing 3:38:09 to finish 3156^th and Gavin ran superbly well to finish in 1007^th place in a time of 3:11:04. 

The racing week started early for 4 of the Teignbridge Trotters on Tuesday 2^nd April. Jamie Barnett, Matthew & Rachel Steele and Hannah Jones travelled the short distance to take part in the 1^st round of the Run Exe Summer 5K series, with the 4 best results to count from the possible six rounds. The race was run on paths and cycle tracks around Exwick park.

Jamie led from start to finish, in quite windy conditions. This was great training for his London Marathon build up, with some useful speed training and boosting his confidence.

Jamie eventually clung on, to win by 12 seconds, in a personal best time of 0:15:42. He beat his previous best 5k time by 27 seconds!!

Our other three Trotters also clocked impressive times. Matthew finished in 44^th position, in a superb time of 0:19:03. Hannah (122, 0:23:10) & Rachel (123, 0:23:20) can also feel very happy with their performances. 179 runners competed in the event.