Happy Hippo

Trotters headed en masse to the Honiton Hippo event on Sunday 18 September for seven and a half miles of multi-terrain, mud, sweat and tears. The annual club trip of the year also doubled as a club championship race and there was plenty for the group to chew over at the post-race pub lunch afterwards.

Firstly, there was a club victory to celebrate as in-form Roger Easterbrook took the race by the scruff of the neck to run out a handsome winner in 50:57. He said: “More hills than I remembered from 2019. Low key, but well organised. Off road fields, paths, forest, some muddy water, filled hollows.

“Luckily, the early leaders burnt themselves out by mile 3, then had a close race with Hamish from South West Road Runners, until 5.5miles. It's all about pacing it - nice to get a win. First time since summer 2021!”

He the two dozen Trotter finishers, some of whom found the river crossings a little tricky underfoot. Julian Scanes bagged another top ten finish, placing 8^th in 57:26. 

There was a steady stream of finishers consisting of Christian Robinson (16^th, 1:01:23), Duncan Knight (17^th, 1:01:31), Ian Langler (21^st, 1:03:37), Bon Rymel (33^rd, 1:08:14), Gavin Parrott (35^th, 1:08:28), Derek Skinner (36th, 1:08:29), Gary Brooking (54^th, 1:14:36), Neil Rutley (59^th, 1:16:10), Corinne Bright (65^th, 1:18:44), Kim Knight (69^th, 1:19:36), Deb Hart (72^nd, 1:20:32), John Tweedie (84^th, 1:24:38), Chris Andrews (99^th, 1:30:12), Yasemin Jeffrey (105^th, 1:35:34), John Skinner (106^th, 1:36:13), Alison Clayton (106^th, 1:36:13), Joanna Griffin (108^th, 1:36:23), Sue Brown (113th, 1:39:42), Lucy Evans (122^nd, 1:44:15), Andy Distin (123^rd, 1:45:59), Sara Blanchard (137^th, 1:54:45), Claire Farrar (137^th, 1:54:45). There were 140 finishers overall. 

Meanwhile, further west Mark Wootton was tacking the Warhorse 10k at Iddesleigh, site of the acclaimed film. Mark said: “A great little race it was too, very undulating with a couple of tough hills all around country lanes and through the grounds of a lovely house, I really enjoyed it.

“My time was 1:08:00. Not sure of placings yet though.” Results are still yet to be published. On a busy weekend for the Trotters, Alex Lyons and Claire Ayling went even further afield, taking part in the Copenhagen Half Marathon.

The couple brought home the bacon in the Danish capital. Running together in a field of 25000 competitors, they clocked 2:04:51 to place 15262^nd and 15263^rd respectively. Alex said: “We ran together for enjoyment rather than time. Course was nice flat on road tarmac, ideal for PB’s if you were looking for one. Weather was cool and dry so perfect running conditions.”