The 29^th running of the very popular seaside race, The Torbay Half Marathon & 10K took place on Sunday 12^th September.

The route is a traffic free, two lap route, which starts and finishes on Paignton seafront, taking in the stunning coastal views across Torbay.

The runners firstly set off with a loop of Paignton Green, before heading off towards Torquay. Along the route, the historic Torre Abbey and the Princess Gardens were passed, before heading back towards Paignton.

Weather conditions were just about perfect for the race, and there were hundreds of spectators ready to cheer on their friends and loved ones. Both races were superbly organised.

There was a great turnout from the Teignbridge Trotters which was a sign that things are really starting to get back to a new normal. There were some fantastic performances amongst the team.

Ewan Walton ran superbly in clocking a time of 01:26:32 to finish in 27th position.

Susanna Goffe was the Clubs first female home. She posted a great time 01:36:45 whilst finishing in 96^th position overall.

Deb Hart won her age category while posting a time of 01:58:31. Her performance meant she finished in 351^st position.

A special mention for Graydon Widdicombe who smashed his previous best half marathon time by 00:04:30 set back in 2016. Graydon clocked a hugely impressive time of 01:29:09 to finish in 43^rd spot.

There were also a number of course PB’s including Bon Rymel, Scott Wiggins, and James Saunders.

The other Trotters positions & times for the Half marathon: Ian Langler (45, 01:29:27), Mikey Johnson (49, 01:29:48), James Saunders (55, 01:30:37), Duncan Knight (97, 01:36:45), Scott Wiggins (108, 01:38:09), Alan Rex Kember (114, 01:38:26), Jason Trevenen (124, 01:39:38), Bon Rymel (195, 01:45:07), Sarah Pike (242, 01:51:01), John Holland (243, 01:50:24), Peter Blakesley (282, 01:53:07), Allen Taylor 283, 01:53:34), Robert Faulkner (286, 01:53:35), Nigel Barnett (315, 01:56:14), Corinne Bright (343, 01:58:10), Eleanor Taylor (479, 02:08:33), Susanne Westgate (489, 02:07:24), Scott Knight (500, 02:10:39), Victoria Ratcliffe (603, 02:19:55), David Bowen (635, 02:23:17), Sharon Lenihan (636, 02:23:18), Andy Distin (639, 02:24:17), Paul Dainton (657, 02:27:22), Sharon Still (675,02:30:16).

There were 753 finishers.

In the 10K race, six Trotters took on the fast and furious shorter test.

Paul Sharples was the Clubs first runner home clocking a very respectable time of 00:57:04 to finish in 116^th place. Running alongside Paul was wifey Sharon. Shaz finished a second behind to record a time of 00:57:03.

A special mention for Neil Pallant who ran as a guide runner. For Neil to forego his own race to help a blind runner is very admirable. Well done Neil. As for their time? 00:59:11 for 139^th position. Brilliant running.

The other positions & times: Gary Caunter (147, 01:00:31), Mark Wotton (169, 01:03:41), Zilpath Walton (210, 01:09:18), Claire Farrar (266, 01:22:28).

There were 285 finishers.

Winding Paths staged their latest multi-terrain event, the Total Coastal races, including a 10K, Half marathon & 32 mile Ultra.

Max Conroy opted for the Ultra & Ruth Johnson ran the half.

The Ultra was a very challenging, scenic race ran on the South West Coast Path, with 6000 feet of elevation. Starting at Kingswear in South Devon,the runners ran the first mile around the country lanes before the route headed off road for 9 miles towards Berry Head. A circuit of Brixham Harbour was made before the next leg towards Goodrington beach. A tarmac stretch to Torquay harbour and onto Babbacombe. Onto Petitor Downs, before 6 miles of hilly, breath taking views, off road challenging trails to the picturesque finish at Ness, Shaldon, with stunning views of the River Teign.

Max ran a solid race to complete the tough challenge in 09:11:19, to finish 36^th.

The Half marathon start was situated on Preston Green, Paignton. The route followed the same route as the Ultra.

Ruth finished in 25^th place, while posting a time of 03:13:08.

Derek Skinner took part in the Richmond Marathon, also on Sunday.

Known as the flattest marathon in London, the route took the runners through the capitals greenest borough passing Kew Gardens, over Richmond Bridge and the Thames towpath. With three famous bridges, two Royal Palaces and one famous river, the race is known as “the World’s most scenic marathon”.

The start took place inside the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The runners set off on roads and paths within Kew before running along the Thames towpath.

Derek represented the Trotters magnificently, winning his new age category (60 – 64). He was chasing a GFA time but unfortunately fell short by 11 seconds! So unlucky. Derek should still feel proud of his time of 03:45:11 to finish in 149^th position.

There were 517 finishers.

Graeme Baker followed up last week’s Octagenarian Park run success by travelling to Brighton for the BM 10k held as part of the Brighton Marathon Running Weekend. This consisted of lots of Mini mile races for Brighton youngsters in age and sex groups on the Saturday, with a 10k and full marathon on the Sunday. These last two races took place on a closed city centre and sea front roads. On a beautiful day Graeme managed 950th out of 2141, to finish 1^st in the MV +80, clocking a great time of 00:58.37. Graeme’s 9 year old grandson ran really well to clock an impressive time of 00:7.58 for his mile. One for the future??