Trotters run the baton at Erme Relays and Neil Pallant completes 100k challenge at Ham & Lyme

Friday 5^th July, saw the Erme Valley Relays take place. This hugely popular team event takes place in Ivybridge at the rugby club and was superbly organised by the Erme Valley Harriers.

155 teams took part this year, a record number and beat the previous best by 21 teams. A team comprised of four members and the leg was approximately 2.4 miles long. The hilly loop took the run around the quiet country roads of Ivybridge.

It was a frantic evening of racing, but a very enjoyable one. The support was amazing and the weather perfect for a great spectacle.

Teignbridge entered twelve teams, eight men’s teams and four ladies. Lucy Evans and Lance Mason were the team captains, and thanks must go to them both for their hard work.

The Clubs first team home comprised of Jamie Barnett (13:15), Tim Pratt (13:49), Tim Dodwell (14:43) Mike Johnson (15:08). Their combined times was good enough for a superb 6^th place.

The MV50 team of Gary Smart (14:10), Roger Hayes (15:08), Lance Mason (15:46), Mike Hooper (15:50), combined to finish 18^th overall, and win the age category award too. Superb effort from the team.

The Trotters first female team to finish included Annie Evans (15:48), Mandy Wheeler (16:47), Susanna Goffe (16:51), Sarah Pike (18:18). This great team effort earned them 2^nd place in the team event and 49^th overall.

The other team’s positions and times were:

29^th – MV40: Ian Langler (15:07), Christian Robinson (15:32), Andrew Fox (16:23), Matt Day (16:48).

37^th – Male Senior: Jamie Barnett (13:18), Sam Crowe (15:35), Bon Rymel (17:42), Max Conroy (18:28).

53^rd – MV50: Alan Boone (16:39), Derek Skinner (16:45), Neil Rutley (17:26), Roger Hales (18:10).

65^th – MV40: Tim Hassel (17:08), Graydon Widdicombe (17:29), Nigel Barnett (17:57), Alex Lyons (18:54).

84^th – FV45: Jacki Woon (17:50), Kathryn Steemson (18:49), Wendy Goldthorp (19:38), Caroline Clark (20:18).

94th  – NS: Roger Easterbrook (14:41), Paul Dainton (19:59), John Skinner (20:57), Andy Distin (23:53).

98^th – MV50: Paul Dean (17:57), John Tweedie (19:53), Eamon Crowe (20:37), Stuart Moulson (21:36).

120^th – FV55: Eleanor Taylor (21:05), Sue Tremlett (21:06), Lucy Payne (21:42), Hylda Stewart (22:25).

126^th – NS: Lucy Evans (21:26), Karen O’Brien (21:39), Susanne Westgate (22:47), Lucy Evans (22:44).

Tavistock Run Project enjoyed victory for the second year running, with Chris Rimmer producing the fastest lap of the night in 12:37.

City of Plymouth’s under -13 girls’ team not only won the junior women’s prize, but were also the first female quartet home

The 5^th running of The Ham & Lyme 50k and 100k races took place on Saturday 6^th July. The race organisers were Albion Running, and this is their flagship event. Runners travel from far and wide to take part.

Teignbridge Trotters, Neil Pallant and Gavin Forbes took on the 100k challenge in sweltering conditions.

The races took the runners along the stunning Liberty Trail, which runs from Ham Hill Country Park in Somerset to Lyme Regis in Dorset. Along the stunning route, the runners passed some fabulous locations including Wayford Woods, the breath-taking panoramas from Lamberts Castle, not to mention the host of pretty villages along the way. They then descended down into Lyme Regis, with its famous Cobb. The route was a very hilly one, with 6634 feet of elevation on some stretches of uneven ground. The route is based on one taken by 6 villagers who went to join the Monmouth Revolution back in 1685.

The 50k race started at the Country Park, and Gavin and Neil started at Lyme Regis. The race started at 7:00 am in cool conditions, but the temperatures soon started to rise. Unfortunately, after 34 miles, Gavin suffered severe cramping, and was forced to pull out!

Neil gallantly plugged on, passing all the check points on time. Unfortunately, Neil did run a few miles extra due to some directional issues? The cut off was 15.5 hours, and Neil completed the distance with 10 minutes to spare!! Neil’s mileage totalled 67 and his finishing time was 15:22:48! A fantastic achievement, especially in such extreme conditions.  

The Ashburton 10k Portreeve’s Challenge took place on Thursday 4^th July. There was also a 2.1k Fun Run for the children.

The Portreeve’s Challenge was introduced in the 1980’s, and was originally run just over 7 miles. The race is held during Ashburton’s Carnival Week. After a brief hiatus, the race was reborn, and due to some course changes, the race distance is now 10k.

The route is 100% on roads, and took the runners up through the town, before winding along quiet country lanes. The runners then skirted around the River Dart Country Park, passing Holne Park House on their left as they made their way to the entrance. The last mile was primarily downhill, but with a nasty climb leading back up into the town. The finish was on the green, in front of hordes of enthusiastic supporters.

The weather conditions were very warm, as the runners gathered on the start line.

Ewan Walton ran superbly well for the Trotters, finishing in 5^th place in a time of 39:27.This performance won Ewan the MV40 age category.

The leading female athlete home was our own Louise Gentry who ran a fantastic race. Louise clocked a time of 43:55, to finish in 15^th place. She also won the FV40 age category award. A great evening’s work!!

Not to be out done, Tracy Elphick (FV45), Susanne Westgate (FV55) and James Saunders (MV55) also won their age categories!

The other Trotters positions and times were: James Saunders (12,43:04), Tracy Elphick (24, 45:38), Bon Rymel (28, 47:43), Kathryn Steemson (32, 49:26), Sarah Pike (38, 49:46), Max Conroy (41, 50:46), Jim Donovan (54, 53:33), Claire Ayling (65, 56:06), Lucy Evans (71, 57:35), Emma Donovan (81, 59:56), Susanne Westgate (83, 1:00:16), Andy Distin (112, 1:08:47), Zilpah Walton (124, 1:12:33).

The overall race winner was Steve Fletcher, representing Plymouth Harriers. Steve made mincemeat of the course, winning in a great time of 34:48. There were 134 runners.

Bethany Blackmore took part, alongside her brother Joe in the fun run. Bethany was the first girl across the finishing line, and is one for the future going by that speedy run!! Well done to Claire Aylings two children, Lucy and Harry who also took part.

White Star Running held a series of races over the weekend, including the Unicorn Frolic, the Moreton marathon and Summer Sessions 10 miler. The venue for all the trail races were at the Moreton Equestrian and Estate near Dorchester.

On Saturday, The Unicorn Frolic took place, with the option of running as many laps as you wanted within a set time.

Suzie Mills completed 5 laps, totalling just over 27 miles in 7:18:42.Sharon and Paul Sharples also completed the same number of laps in 7:19:07. Daryll Hall ran 3 laps in 3:35:09 and Louise Stokes completed 2 laps in 4:03:00.

Paul Sharples has now reached his 51^st Marathon after the completion of this event.

On Sunday, new for 2019, the Moreton Marathon held centre stage. Allen Taylor, Roger Hayes and Amy Robson set out on a two lap course, running along Dorset’s finest trails. The route was on the flattish side and the race was part of the Wyvern series.

Allen and Roger ran together, and chalked up yet another marathon. They finished in 6^th and 7^th places respectively in a time of 3:49:52. Rogers’s efforts also won him the MV50-59 age category. Amy Robson ran the distance in 6:51:36 to finish in 132^nd position. There were 138 finishers.

Scott Parfitt, representing Lytchett Manor Striders, won the race in 3:18:57.

Also on Sunday, The Summer Sessions 10 miler was run. Joshua Taylor was the Clubs only representative, but that didn’t deter him? He ran a great race to finish in 54^th place in a time of 1:46:47. Josh also won the Senior Male age category!!

Andy Leggott won the race in 1:09:48.There were 173 runners.

The 4^th round of the Exe 5K Series was run on the evening of July 2nd. Five Trotters made the trip to Exeter to take part. The route started and finished at Exwick Park, and followed paths and cycle tracks on a two lap loop. Weather conditions were very warm with a breeze blowing in the faces of the runners as they headed along the canal.

Jamie Barnett led the Trotters home, finishing in 2^nd place, having been out sprinted in the home straight by Berihu Hadera. Jamie was happy with his time of 00:15:55, and leads the overall standings with two races to go.

Matthew Steele is in superb form at the moment, finishing in 34^th position in a time of 00:19:01

The other Trotters positions and times were: James Saunders (45, 00:19:35), Bob Small (114, 00:23:28), Rachel Steele (116, 00:23:50).

There were 164 finishers.