Mandy Wheeler breaks female vets course record at Kingsbridge 10K

On Thursday 25^th July, the next Club Championship event took place at the Kingsbridge Fair Week 10K.

Twenty eight Trotters travelled to the South Hams for this particularly tough hilly race. The race started by the model railway station called “Ria End”, which reflects that Kingsbridge is situated on a ria, and not an estuary!! The warm sultry weather conditions were not conducive to a tough hill run.

The start was a tough one, with a climb up the main street, before heading out along quiet roads towards the ridge. This signalled the highest point of the course. From here the runners descended down a picturesque part of the course, heading back towards the finish at The Recreation Park in Kingsbridge. The runners were given so much vocal support in the latter part of the race. The marshals were also very supportive all around the course.

Roger Easterbrook was again in good form, finishing in 7^th place, recording a time of 00:39:56. Ewan Walton also ran a great race to chase Roger home in 9^th place. Ewan’s finishing time was 00:41:34.

Mandy Wheelers performance was outstanding. Not only did she finish 3^rd female, but Mandy also broke the ladies veterans’ course record. The new record is 00:45:31 and gave her 21^st place overall.

Jacki Woon won the female vets award. Her time of 00:48:46 and 21^st position was more than good enough to take the honours.

The other Trotters positions and times were:

Sam Crowe (13, 00:43:48), Lance Mason (16,00:44:11), Annabelle Evans (23, 00:46:07), Duncan Knight (27, 00:46:21), James Saunders (28^th, 00:46:55), Alan Rex Kember (29,00:47:06), Max Conroy (35, 00:48:08), Graydon Widdicombe (40, 00:48:45), Peter Hayward (51, 00:50:21), Kathryn Steemson (57,00:51:21), Kim Knight (60, 00:51:52), Christopher McIntosh (66, 00:52:46), Alex Lyons (68, 00:52:46), Neil Rutley (74, 00:53:30), Jim Donovan (89, 00:55:42), Gary Brooking (91, 00:55:57), Caroline Clark (106, 00:58:22), Eamon Crowe (107, 00:58:22), Philip Norden (110, 00:59:14), Lucy Evans (113, 00:59:48), Ruth Johnson (116, 00:59:58), Lucy Payne (119, 1:00:44), Sally Ingledew (146, 1:07:30), Zilpah Walton (151,1:11:06). There were 162 finishers.

The race winner was Bertie Powell, representing Woodford Green AC, breaking the tape in 00:36:31. 

On Saturday 27^th July, WSR staged The Cider Frolic at the home of Cranbourne Chase cider at Myncen Farm near Blandford Forum in Dorset.

The race could be run as a solo, pairs, 3 & 4 man teams. Each lap was 6K in length, so seven completed circuits was equivalent to a marathon. The course profile was mainly flat with a few lumps along the way.

Ten Trotters travelled west, all with their own agendas. Bon Rymel was attempting to complete his first marathon, and a trail one at that!! Bon comfortably managed the first 20 miles, but then he started to feel the strain, and it was his sheer grit and determination that drove him on. Also, Bon would like to thank his fellow Trotters for all the encouragement they gave him in those last two miles. Bon completed the distance in 4:44:38. A superb effort.

Two of the Clubs experienced marathoners, Roger Hayes and Lance Mason chalked up another one to their growing list. Roger finished in 3:41:04 and Lance completed the seven laps in 4:05:24.

Suzie Mills led our female Trotters home, finishing in 6:23:40. This time gave Suzie a new course personal record & also a new trail marathon best.

The other Trotters times were: Sue Tremlett (6:31:38), Sue Brown (6:31:38), Sharon Sharples (7:41:46), Paul Sharples (7:41:46), Karen O’Brien (4 laps – 4:53:27), Louise Stokes (2 laps – 3:04:11).

The racing week started early on Wednesday 24^th July, with the Neolithic Fell race.

There were also two supporting races for the younger age groups.

Six Teignbridge Trotters travelled to Merivale in West Devon to take part in this new event organised by Tavistock AC & the Tamar Trail Runners.

The route took in the most spectacular Tors & some ancient Neolithic monuments.

A purely off road race, started and finished at Merrivale, next to the Dartmoor Inn. The course covered the fabulous historic Stone Row area towards Four Winds, a climb to Great Mis Tor, before descending to the bottom of the valley. At this point a small ford was crossed before climbing a short rise, passing ancient hut circles. The runners then followed the ridge back to Roos Tor, before a fast descent back down to the finish.

Jim Donovan completed the tough challenge in a great time of 00:50:03, to finish in 51^st position. Jim is really starting to show some very consistent form of late.

Ella Bowles was the Clubs first female finisher, continuing her good form at the Haytor Heller. She finished in 55^th place in a time of 00:51:15.

The other Trotter positions and times were: Ian Bowles (74, 00:59:07), Eleanor Taylor (76, 1:00:20), Lucy Evans (80, 1:03:01), Emma Donovan (88, 1:12:1:12:29).

The race winner was Floyd Ratcliffe, clocking a great time of 00:31:20. There were 90 finishers.

Daniel Graves travelled to Somerset to take part in the Bath Running Festival. There were 5 race distances on offer. Daniel opted for the long half marathon which was 16.5 miles.

All the races were primarily off road around the beautiful hills and valleys of Bath. There were some breath-taking views of the city from Sham Castle On Claverton Down and the open meadows above Bathampton. The runners also followed the Kennet & Avon Canal through the historic Sydney Gardens.

The first major hill was located on the original Roman Fosse Way. A mile up with a 8% gradient!! The route traverses through some very technical steep ascents in St Catherines & up the famous Solsbury Hill. The view from the site of this Iron Age Fort across Bath and the surrounding valleys were stunning.

The feed stations included fresh fruit and tasty treats. The marshals were all very supportive and the whole event was superbly organised by Relish Running.

Daniel ran superbly to finish in 44^th place, in a time of 2:47:52. Dan was also 1^st Junior Male Under 20 age category winner. There were 184 finishers.

Luke Delderfield won the race in 1:51:02.

Ruth Johnson & Mark Wotton travelled the short distance to race in the Cornwood 10K Challenge on Saturday evening. There was also a 4K fun run offer for the younger ones.

The route took the runners around Cornwood and Lutton, and the terrain included some tracks, across fields but mainly on quiet country roads. The start and finish was in Cornwood Square.

Ruth led the sister and brother duo home, finishing in a time of 00:59:14 to claim 108^th spot. Ruth is starting to regain her pace having run many longer distance races of late. Mark ran a solid race to finish in 153^rd in a time of 1:10:12. There were 182 finishers.

Sam Yearling took the honours, winning in 00:36:08.

Graydon Widdicombe, Helen & Ryan Anthony travelled to Minehead on Sunday 28^th July, to take part in the Seaview 17.

There is a story to be told regarding the name of the race? When the race was first dreamt up, they estimated the distance to be 17 miles!! The organisers soon discovered that the route was in fact nearer to 21 miles. The race name has stuck to this day!

This tough event was run mainly on the South West coast path from Countisbury to Minehead. A scenic coach journey took the runners to the start, and was also included in the very modest entrance fee.

Although very hilly in places, the route was nearly all runnable except for a particularly nasty stretch at North Hill. From the top of here it was 6 miles back down to Minehead.

Minehead RC staged the very well organised race. The weather conditions were perfect, and although the sun shone throughout, there were shaded areas from the tree canopy along the route. There were plenty of refreshments on offer during and after the race.

Helen Anthony led the trio of Trotters home, finishing in a time of 3:32:50 to finish in 23rd position.
Graydon Widdicombe completed the tough course in 4:04:41 to claim 61st place and Ryan Anthony finished in 126th position clocking a time of 5:16:31.
1st place went to James Browning, winning in 2:42:03.

There were 131 finishers.

The Stoke Gabriel Carnival 10kish took place on Sunday 28^th July. There was also a shorter 5 mile option called the The Prusty Plod.

This was a multi-terrain race took in the Millpond and the lovely riverside path alongside the River Dart, before climbing out of the village. The runners crossed fields and bridleways, and the occasional quiet lane. The start and finish line was at the local football ground.

A perfect summer’s morning greeted the runners as they set off.

Kate Lenthall took part in The Prusty Prod and ran really well to finish 5^th overall, and 2^nd female finisher. Kates final time was 00:44:31.

Jason Trevenen led our Club runners home, finishing in 12^th place overall, clocking a great time of 1:01:03.

The other Trotters positions & times: Duncan Knight (19, 1:03:16), Robert Cooper (20, 1:05:07), Max Conroy (21, 1:05:42), Scott Wiggins (26, 1:06:20), Kim Knight (49, 1:13:10), Alex Lyons (98, 1:24:05), Claire Ayling (99, 1:24:24), Sharon Still (1:41:49).

There were 193 finishers .A welcome free bacon bap and a cider was on offer for all the runners after crossing the finish line!!

Arran Tocknell won the race in a time of 00:49:36.

Also on the Wednesday evening, the Gecko Gathering took place at Haldon, consisting of two races run over 5K & 10K.

The race route took the field of 89 runners along trails in and around the heart of Haldon Forest.

Despite being hampered with an injury, Katey Blackmore, the Trotters sole representative, decided to run in the 5K race.

Katey tried to put the injury to the back of her mind, but in the latter part of the race the injury really began to hamper her. Guts and determination drove her on, and she managed to finish in 9^th place, recording a time of 00:32:42.