On Sunday 13th November, Club Championship points were at stake at The Drogo 10.

Six Trotters lined up for an exciting and challenging 10 mile multi-terrain race that started and finished at Castle Drogo, taking in views of the stunning Teign Valley. From the castle, runners headed down the driveway for 600m and across the grass and through the woods on Piddledown Common, before descending steeply to Sharp Tor and the main downhill track to the river. This is a long, occasionally narrow and steep section where overtaking proved a tricky manoeuvre. Ahead lay the new bridge, built after the old one was washed away by floods several years ago. At this point the course levelled out, winding its way through woods, tracks and paths. At 3 miles the runners encountered the first major hill. Half a mile of twists and turns, so knowing where the top finished was difficult to judge. Near the top, an unexpected but welcome sharp left took the field back downhill. The track then got narrower and steeper as it plunged down towards the river before a sweeping bend to the right marked the start of the long haul up the far side of the gorge. This was when the runners needed to dig deep, because although not as steep as the previous one, their legs are still complaining about the last one!! A steep downhill, back to the river greeted the runners, a welcome rest bite. A two mile flat section then led them back along the Teign. Eventually the athletes reached Fingle Bridge and a water station. Fluids were advised in preparation for the famous Hunters’ Path hill back to Drogo. The path then suddenly flattened out and a stunning view of the Teign Valley provided the runners chance to recover before the final undulating half mile to the finish. A last few steep steps, across a flat woodland before the tired runners emerged back at the castle and the finish line.

Hamish Rea ran a superb race, finishing in 3^rd place, just two seconds behind the eventual runner up. Hamish is putting in the miles of late, and his hard work is really starting to pay dividends. His time of 01:06:25 was very impressive when the elevation of the course was over 1500 feet?

Hamish’s performance capped off a fine week having run well on Wednesday in the Marines XC Championships across Woodbury Common. The Marines training takes place here so the terrain wasn’t unexpected! The 10k race was a qualifier for future races representing both the Marines and Navy. Hamish completed the course in 00:35:52 to finish in 2^nd place. The Telford 10k and a warm weather training camp in Portugal now awaits.

Susanna Goffe was the first female Trotter home. Susanna clocked an impressive time of 01:25:01 to finish in 54^th place.

The other Trotters positions and times were: Mandy Wheeler (80, 01:29:09), Bon Rymel (174, 01:40:11), Robert Faulkner (242, 01:48;11), Deb Hart (299, 01:55:39).

Winding Paths organised their popular event, The Starcross Shuffle also on Sunday.

Four Teignbridge Trotters took part in what was billed as a fun, social seven hour timed challenge event. Weather conditions were on the humid side.

The start was held at Starcross and the picturesque route followed the Exe Estuary alongside the deer grazing grounds of Powderham Castle and onto the Turf Locks Hotel. This signalled the turnaround point at mile 3.3, before heading back to Starcross. 2 laps equalled a half marathon and 4 laps the full.

Roger Hayes completed the marathon distance in a great time of 03:43:47 to finish in 4^th place, and in doing so crept closer to the magic 200 marathon barrier.

Sharon Sharples ceases to amaze many Trotters with her true grit and determination, especially having had her fair share of injuries of late. Shaz completed the full distance in 06:14:19 to finish in 22^nd place.

Teresa Holmes completed two laps in a very respectable time of 02:31:25 to finish in 20^th place. There were 26 entrants.

Mark Wotton ran 10k in 01:06:10 to take 7^th spot. There were 22 runners.

Three hardy Teignbridge Trotters travelled west to Newquay in Cornwall to compete in the 2^nd round of the Charles Stanley Westward XC league.

Natalie Clare was the sole female representative for the Club, but wore the famous vest with pride. Nat finished in 73^rd place, clocking a great time of 00:23:42. There were 140 competitors.

In the men’s event, Ewan Walton and Joe Hornsby both put in strong performances. Ewan finished 92^nd, posting a useful time of 00:36:03 and Joe chased Ewan home, clocking a time of 00:36:44 to finish 103^rd. There were 160 runners. 

On Saturday 12^th November, Derek Skinner travelled east to Ringwood, Dorset to compete in the Dark Valley Half Marathon organised by White Star Running.

A warm evening greeted the runners with a 17:30 pm start time. The two lap race was run on trails, pathways and woodlands around Moors Valley. Derek was quite surprised by how tough the undulating course was. This didn’t seem to deter him as he won the MV60 award. Derek’s time of 01:5:58 placed him in 19^th position. There were 66 finishers.