Teignbridge Trotters Running Club
Newton Abbot, Devon
Established 1982
Born to Run
Teignbridge Trotters defy gale force weather conditions
The 5th round of the Exe 5K Series took place on Tueday 6th August. Eight Teignbridge Trotters travelled the short distance, by car and train!
The race started and finished at Exwick Park, and followed paths and cycle tracks alongside the canal, on a two lap loop. The weather conditions were just about perfect for this fast and furious race.
Trotters all set for 5K race at Exeter
Matthew Steele ran his usual consistent race, leading ghe Trotters home. Mathew, who currently lies 2nd in his age category competiton, recorded a great time of 00:19:03 to finish in 37th position.
2nd Trotter home was James Saunders, recording a new PB time of 00:19:21 to finish in 40th spot.
The other Trotters positions and times were:
Simon Sherlock (67, 00:20:33), Roger Hales (90, 00:22:02), Nigel Barnett (99, 00:22:24), Rachel Steele (106, 00:23:04), Bob Small (110, 00:23:16), Richard Keatley (133, 00:25:41).
There were 170 finishers. With one round to go, Jamie Barnett leads the Mens Senior competition, James and Bob look set to win their respective age categories and Rachel is currently 2nd in the FV45+ category! All to play for on the 10th September.
On Friday 9th August, 30 Trotters travelled the short distance to Haldon Hill for the Forest Flyer organised by the Dawlish Coasters. This was a championship race, hence the good turnout. Due to the strong winds and heavy rain, the race was in danger of being cancelled, but the Forestry Commission deemed it safe to continue.
The race was superbly organised and the marshals were all very supportive and helpful. The course was mainly trails that took the runners through the pine forests. The first 4 miles was either undulating or steep downhill sections. The final 0.8 miles was a steep uphill finish that tested all the runners.
The first Trotter home was Tim Pratt who finished 4th overall in a great time of 00:29:42.
Mandy Wheeler ran her usual consistent race to finish 2nd female home and 26th overall, in a great time of 00:35:32.
The other Trotters finishing positions and times:
Sam Crowe (11, 00:32:31), Lance Mason (16, 00:33:49), James Saunders (21, 00:34:43), Andrew Fox (27, 00:35:36), Max Conroy (31, 00:36:25), Susanna Goffe (32, 00:36:32), Matthew Day (41, 00:37:58), Bon Rymel (43, 00:43:05), Graydon Widdicombe (48, 00:38:36), Peter Hayward (49, 00:38:48), Nigel Barnett (52, 00:39:10), Jacki Woon (53, 00:39:26), Neil Rutley (54, 00:39:34), Alex Lyons (62, 00:40:51), Paul Sharples (64, 00:41:19), Gary Brooking (66, 00:41:28), Kate Lenthall (71, 00:42:03), Kirsty Bowman (82,00:43:25), Eamon Crowe (84, 00:43:50), Corrine Bright (87, 00:44:27), Richard Keatley (94, 00:45:55), Ruth Johnson (96, 00:46:11), Lucy Payne (103, 00:46:59), Sharon Sharples (113, 00:47:56), Eleanor Taylor (114, 00:48:01), Susanne Westgate (128, 00:50:25), Theresa Holmes (150, 00:55:51), Mark Wotton (172, 00:1:08:35).
Tim Gordon representing Exeter Triathlon Club won the race in a time of 00:28:09.
There were 174 competitors.
Teignbridge Trotters putting on their brave faces at Forest Flyer
Theresa Holmes battles to the finish line
Sharon Sharples back from her holiday with a bang
Susanne Westgate won't let the stormy conditions get to her!
Neil Rutley gives his all
Paul Sharples using the strong wind to his advantage!
Gary Caunter also trying the flying technique!!
On Sunday 11th August, The Port Talbot Half Marathon took place. This year’s event saw the field expanded to a maximum of 650 athletes due to the popularity of the race. The Port Talbot Half Marathon is an exciting run through the stunning Afan forest, through the beautiful surroundings of Glyncorrwg Ponds and following the former railway route down the valley to Pontrhydyfen (birth place of Richard Burton). From here the runners turn and follow the opposite side of the valley to return to Glyncorrwg. Without doubt this is one of Wales' most scenic races.
Kim & Duncan Knight travelled to Neath, Wales to take part. They both ran extremely well. Kim finished in 124th position, clocking a great time of 1:48:51. This performance gained Kim 2nd place in the FV45 age category.
Duncan also ran a great race, to finish in 48th place, in a time of 1:35:50.
Matthew Rees, representing Swansea Harriers took the spoils, winning in a time of 1:13:25.
There were 519 finishers.
Runners in fancy dress at Rocky Horror Marathon
Graydon Widdicombe is back on the marathon trail after taking 4 months off of events due to an injury. He travelled to Shrewsbury, and took part in the Rocky Horror Marathon organised by How Hard Can It Be events to ease himself back in after some reasonable mileage in recent weeks.
This is a flat marathon, and is 43.5 laps around a tarmac cycle track. On this occasion there was a manual system where runners had to get a card stamped after each lap (as a method of counting the laps), which was a bit of a pain as it made the event very stop/start, but Graydon wasn’t bothered about a time on this occasion.
In what ended up being good weather conditions for running, Graydon took it steady in the first half to see how the shoulder responded and then upped the pace a bit in the second half to finish in 3:51:51.
Teignbridge team line up before Salisbury 54321 races
The Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 trail run or walk, now in its 24th year was held on Sunday 11th August. An event suited for all the family, with a choice of distances from 5km to the more demanding 42k/Marathon, or even now a popular 50k Ultra Trail Marathon. The routes were over footpaths, bridleways and quiet country roads in the Salisbury Wessex area. The trails took the runners/walkers past a variety of sites of historical and scientific interest and through Country Estates not usually open to the public. This has been made possible by the kind permission of several Estate/landowners along the route and including English Heritage.
Listed below are the features and landmarks that the competitors could look out for along the way.
5 Rivers = Avon / Bourne / Ebble / Nadder / Wylye.
4 Hills = Old Sarum / King Manor / Clearbury Hill Fort / Salisbury Race Course
3 Large Country Estates = Clarendon / Longford / Wilton.
2 Castles = Old Sarum & Longford Castles.
1 Cathedral = Salisbury Cathedral with a 404ft spire.
Seven of the Clubs most adventurous runners travelled to Wiltshire to take part. Weather conditions were just about perfect for the start. Sally Ingledew, Sue Tremlett, Derek Skinner and Roger Hayes ran the marathon route, while Kim Nichols and Ruth Johnson ran in the 20 mile event. Andy Distin took the more leisurely option, the 20 mile walk, but still a tough test of endurance.
Roger Hayes led our Trotters home in the Marathon, finishing in a superb 6th place, in a time of 3:40:35.
The other Trotters positions and times were: Derek Skinner (55, 4:50:25), Sue Tremlett (128, 5:34:35) and Sue’s 8th Marathon of 2019, Sally Ingledew (149, 5:49:51).
Race winner was Scott Parfitt, winning in a time of 3:16:45.
In the 20 mile event, Kim Nichols was the lead Trotter, finishing in a great time of 3:48:01 to finish 80th overall. Ruth Johnson also ran well to finish in 97th position, crossing the line in 4:00:34. Andy Distin completed the distance in 7:11:38, to take 177th place.
There were 186 finishers.
On Saturday 10th August the The RAT (Roseland August Trail Race Series) was organised by Mudcrew. A series of challenging coastal runs along the stunning South Cornwall Coastal Path.
It incorporates four different routes, The Black Route 32 miles, The Red Route 20 miles, The White Route 11 miles and The Plague (green) 100K – 64 miles! All these routes followed the same part of the coastline, with runners from different routes joining each other at different points along the way. The route took the competitors though stunning coastal scenery, over undulating paths, through fields, villages and surrounding countryside. These races are not for the faint hearted!
This did not deter four of our Trotters from taking part! Rachel and Matthew Steele, Natalie Clare and Ryan Anthony braved the terrible weather conditions that confronted them on the day.k o
Matthew took part in the Red Route 20 mile race. He completed the tough course in 3:23:40 to finish in 10th place. Great performance.
Rachel, Natalie and Ryan, for their sins, took part in the Black Route, 32 miles of shear hell! The winds were so strong, there were times when Rachel was nearly blown off her feet! They all successfully completed the severe test in very good times. Rachel and Natalie kept each other company, and crossed the finish line together in a very respectable time of 7:35:09 to finish 72nd & 73rd respectively. Ryan also gritted his teeth to complete the race in 10:00:51 to claim 124th position. A fine effort from our Club runners.
The race was won by Damian Hall, posting a time of 4:30:56
Rachel & Matthew Steele, and Natalie Clare complete Black and Red Routes at Roseland trail races