Muddle Trouble

It was a weekend of championship action and an epic ultra running achievement for Teignbridge Trotters.

The Mendip Muddle, organised by Weston AC was the latest event in the club championship. The 20k multi-terrain event offered a rare challenge and a few unexpected twists and turns along the way for the Trotter contingent.

Official results are not available at time of writing, but from what we can decipher, Roger Easterbrook had yet another fine run, placing third overall. Although his podium finish owed a little to the race leader getting lost en route.

Derek Skinner, Christian Robinson, Dominique Harcourt all completed the race. James Saunders started the race, but was another who fell victim to taking a wrong turn along the way. Which, if nothing else, ensured the race lived up to its name.

Roger reported: “Lovely sunny, light winds, (it) felt a bit like Bicton Blister at times on open moor with tracks, plenty of twisting turns, stunning views toward Bristol Channel, woodland paths, tracks, a few stiles, long ups and downs before downhill last mile.

“Some good performances. the leader got lost, so I got elevated to 3rd, Del, Christian, Dominique, all completed with a smile of relief at the finish. James Saunders can tell you his experience, I’m keeping quiet.”

Dominique said: "It was a tough but very scenic course, and the weather was so kind to us, lots of sunshine! Ian (Langler) came with my to support, he is a good man!

"There were a lot of marshals on the course but perhaps a few missing at some key points. When you’re trying to watch where your feet are landing it’s quite easy to miss an arrow (they were small!) or a piece of red&white tape."  

Keeping firmly on the right road were Natalie Cussack and Kris Ward who took on the monstrous Centurion Running Autumn 100. Th 100 mile trail run took in the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails with around 5000ft of climbing. No thank you Matron.

Both came home in sub 24 hour times, Ward placing 38^th overall in 20:40:18 and Cussack 67^th in 22.35.51. There were 150 finishers overall. Meanwhile at the Eden Project Half Marathon, Liz Nuttall clocked 1:44:09 to place 44th and 1st F45. There were 624 finishers.