Jolly Running organised their Extremely Jolly and Little Elves fun runstaged at the Escot Estate in St Ottery St Mary, East Devon on December 10^th.

The 7.5 mile trail run for the adults, included a unique 30 metre waterslide. Set in a beautiful location, the route provides a variety of trails, frozen mud, woodland tracks, paths, streams, quaint bridges and water crossings. Fancy dress was encouraged to add some festive spirit to the occasion.

The one mile fun run was restricted to the over 8 year olds but gave the children chance to experience what their mummies and daddies will encounter in the main event.

Four Teignbridge Trotters lined up for this hugely popular event. John Holland led our quartet home, finishing in a highly respectable time of 01:08:52 to finish in 19^th place. Ruth pipped her brother to the post, clocking a time of 01:18:32 to finish 59^th and Mark finished two places back, posting a time of 01:19:13. Sharon Still battled well to complete the tough challenge in 01:34:33 to finish 114^th. There were 228 finishers.

On Sunday 11^th December, James Saunders lined up for the Telford 10k organised by Telford AC. The race incorporated the 2022 England 10K Championship, the EA Age Group Masters qualifying and an inter area match. Wave 1 at 10:30 consisted of elite and predicted times under 32 minutes. Wave 2 which included James, included the elite females and predicted times between 32 & 40 minutes. Wave 3 was for athletes for finish times over 40 minutes.

James set off on his travels Saturday lunch time, and arrived at his hotel at 15:30. A short 10 minute drive to the Telford International Centre on Sunday morning proved ideal as the roads leading into the county were very treacherous due to ice and snow.

The generally flat 2 lap traffic free tarmac course was located in Telford Town Park, as well as the Silkin Way.

As the Wave 2 runners set off, sub-zero temperatures and light sleet began to fall! The underfoot conditions were pretty good, as the race organisers heavily gritted the course on the eve of the race. The sleet soon became light snow, and heading into the last 2.5 km, a raging blizzard ensued! Having finished his race, James discovered that the unused gel he had been grasping was frozen to his glove!

James finished in 476^th place amongst 1075 entries. His chip time of 00:38:00 was a personal best of 65 seconds and also a new MV60 Club record, which he previously held with the legendary David Foster.

The event was superbly organised what with the freezing conditions and the postal strikes causing much stress for the RD regarding race number issues.

A 5 hour drive home meant that James didn’t arrive home until 18:00 due to accidents/snow along the way. Nethertheless, the venture was well worth it, with the mission completed. 

Natalie Clare travelled East to Dorset to take part in the Badger trails FUBAR marathon on Sunday 11^th December. Set on the Bovingdon tank training area, woodland trails, gravel tracks, streams to cross and of course the tank tracks.

As the runners set off the thermometer was reading -4 degrees including sleet which soon turned to snow. The snow did eventually stop making for a winter wonderland whilst running through the woods. There were 6 aid stations around the course, but unfortunately the water turned to ice slushies as well as icicles forming on Natalie’s woolly hat!

Natalie didn’t seem to let the conditions affect her to much as she was the 3^rd female finisher, in a time of 04:30:02. Great running Nat.

A brand new event for race organisers White Star Running was staged on Saturday 10^TH December. The Mapperton Muddle races including a 10k and Half Marathon. Set just outside of Dorchester, lies Mapperton, a country estate owned by the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, the races were centred within the grounds. Again due to the frozen ground, the expected mud was hard in most places, but the trails offered a variety of challenges including the dreaded hills!

Suzie Mills took on the challenge and loved every minute of it, and despite of her lack of miles lately, surprised herself with her eventual finish time. Suzie loved the event and may have found a renewed love for the sport.

Unfortunately, the results were not published in time to forward to the press.