Championship Hots Up

It has been a big week for Teignbridge Trotters with two club championship events on the calendar. First up with Dawlish Coasters’ Coastal Dash on Thursday 23 June where an enthusiastic band of 21 Trotters turned out.

Taking on a beach and coastal route of approximately four miles, the leading club representative was Sam Crowe who finished a creditable 9^th in 23:25. He was closely followed home by James Long, James Saunders and Julian Scanes, who enjoyed a fine tussle to place 11^th, 12^th and 13^th in 24:08, 24:18 and 24:22 respectively. But the run of the day probably came from in-form Susanna Goffe who was the first female home and 20^th overall in 25:25.

Other Trotter finishers were 22^nd - Ian Langler (25:43), 24^th - Christian Robinson (26:02), 28^th - Duncan Knight (26:16), 39^th - Neil Rutley (28:21), 52^nd - Brian Lewis (30:19), 53^rd - Kim Knight (30:42), 55^th - Tim Synge (30:50), 59^th - Corinne Bright (31:05), 73^rd - Deb Hart (32:29), 78^th - Chris Andrews (33:27), 80^th - Dermot Smyth (33:42) 93^rd - Eamon Crowe (34:33), 94^th - Sue Tremlett (34:39), 104^th - Rod Payne (35:44), 115^th - Joanna Griffin (37:37), 116^th - Eleanor Taylor (37:42), 118^th - John Skinner (38:15), 141^st - Victoria Hales (50:45).

Next up was Sunday’s Torbay Half Marathon, where 30 Trotters toed the line for one of the region’s biggest mass participation events. On a gusty day in the bay, the Trotters ran like the wind, including two age group winners.

Jacki Woon and Deb Hart won their respective age group titles to add to their growing collection of honours. Jacki was first female 50-59 with 1:39:24 and Deb was first 60-69 female in 1:58:43. The first Trotter overall over the finish line was Roger Easterbrook who had a fine run in 12^th in 1:22:13. Next home was Julian Scanes in 26^th in 1:27:19 – which also placed him third in the 50-59 male class.

James Saunders was the remaining Trotter under the 90-minute mark, completing the 13.1mile course in 1:29:57. There was also a noteworthy run from Alan Kember in 1:39:05, 94^th overall and 2^nd in the 60-69 class.

Other Trotter half marathon finishers were James Long (1:31:34, 41^st), Susanna Goffe (01:33:10, 47^th), Ian Langler (01:34:10, 55^th), Kevin Rickard (1:39:19, 97^th), Scott Wiggins (1:40:12, 111st), Philip Smith (1:41:28 – 123^rd), Duncan Knight (1:41:26, 122^nd), Andrew Fox (1:45:41, 166^th), Rob Faulkner (1:49:30 – 183^rd), Sarah Pike (1:50:58, 209^th), Peter Blakesley (1:50:52, 207^th), Oliver Thomas (1:51:55, 218^th), Joanna Randall (2:02:23, 348^th), Chris Andrews (2:03:42, 361^st), Kim Knight (2:05:58, 382^nd), Eamon Crowe (2:09:59, 421^st), David Bowen (2:10:39, 429^th), Neil Pallant (2:12:11 – as guide runner, 442^nd) Joanna Griffin (2:22:59, 529^th) and Darren Petch (2:38:27, 586^th). There were 632 finishers in total.

There was also a 10k race alongside the half marathon in which four club members took part. Susanne Westgate (61:58, 211^th), Rod Payne (63:07, 224^th), Andy Distin (68:14, 287^th) and Claire Farrar (76:40, 335^th) all competed the course in fine style. There were 380 finishers overall. 

In between the two big gatherings, a magnificent seven took on the Giants Head Marathon in Dorset. A notoriously hilly and off-road event, it was one to test the resolve of even the most gnarly of runners.

Matt Steele led the group home, completing the course in 4:00:48 for 17^th overall and 2^nd place in the 45-49 male class. The ither Trotter finishers were Roger Hayes (4:11:37, 28^th), Bon Rymel (5:22:54, 158^th), Derek Skinner (5:26:21, 169^th), Tim Synge (5:36:27, 193^rd), Gary Brooking (5:38:28, 197^th), Suzie Mills (7:40:22, 372^nd). There were 378 finishers.

On completing his 60^th marathon, Derek was fulsome in his praise of the organisers, he said: “Tough course with a few stinging hills…great views and prefect weather for it if not a bit breezy at times…the whole weekend was very well organised with food and drinks always available served by local villagers.”