On Sunday 16^th January, the Oh My Obelisk organised by the Dawlish Coasters took place. This marked the start of the new Club championship season. There were two race distances on offer (a 9-miler and a Half Marathon). The half marathon was the race that counted towards the club championship.

The event was a multi terrain route with lots of mud, lots of hills, fields, woodland tracks and quiet country lanes.

The Mamhead Obelisk, a Grade 2 listed building, was built as a landmark for shipping. The Obelisk was built in 1742 by Thomas Balle, who owned the Mamhead Estate. It was also meant to signify the start of the English Channel. The limestone structure sited in woodland above Mamhead House allows breath-taking views across the Exe estuary and to the sea beyond.

The weather conditions as the runners set off was dry and cool, just about perfect running conditions..

Nineteen Teignbridge Trotters took part in the Half Marathon race. Our Club mud lovers revelled in the conditions and produced some great times. 

Roger Easterbrook thrives on this type of race and he didn’t disappoint with a fine display of trail running. Roger finished in 5^th place overall, clocking a time of 01:32:05.

Susanna Goffe produced a magnificent performance to finish first Trotter female, posting a great time of 01:43:44.

Congratulations to our ladies for winning the team prize.

The other Trotter positions & times were: Gary Smart ((19, 01:37:22), Ewan Walton (29, 01:44:19), Duncan Knight (45, 01:49:28), Gavin Parrott (68, 01:56:48), Tim Synge (75, 01:58:44), Alan Kember (80, 01:59:35), Hannah Jones (87, 02:01:37), Gary Brooking (108, 02:05:27), Kathryn Steemson (112, 02:06:06), John Pullen (116, 02:07:07), Peter Blakesley (118, 02:07:29), Neil Rutley (122, 02:09:24), Kim Knight (129, 02:13:17), Eamon Crowe (143, 02:23:04), Deb Hart (151, 02:25:15), Alexis Marsh (171, 02:34:59), Chris Andrews (173, 02:36:04), Tamsin Cook (176, 02:41:09).

There were 184 very muddy finishers.

Adam Holland won the race in a rapid time of 01:25:59.

Six Trotters opted for the nine mile distance. Melanie Sheehan finished in 29^th spot in a time of 01:24:50.

The other Trotter positions & times were: Corinne Bright still on a high from the awards night (42, 01:31:59), Stephanie Ross (56, 01:40:01), Laura Law (58, 01:41:00), Alison Clayton (69, 01:48:24), Darren Petch (96, 02:19:02).

There were 99 finishers.

Ruth Johnson was the Clubs sole representative at the Walter Raleigh Trail Marathon organised by Climb South West on Sunday 16^th January. The route visited the birthplace of Sir Walter and the countryside where he spent a lot of his time as a child. The route included quiet back lanes, unsurfaced country roads, little known footpaths, the Otter Valley, High Peak, The Jurassic Coast and a dismantled railway. The race started and finished at Budleigh Salterton. There was an option to run in fancy dress in 16^th Century costume!

Ruth finished in 76^th place, completing the gruelling test in 02:43:54. There were 140 entrants.