Quicky Goffe Running

On a packed weekend of action, there were some superb performances from Trotters across the country with personal bests and club records all requiring a rewrite. Plus, there were some age group awards to garnish some already very tasty servings.

In Somerset the latest event in the club championship took place with the hosting of the Taunton Half Marathon and Marathon and there were more breakthrough runs to savour. In the marathon, Susanna Goffe smashed her previous marathon best to finish 28thand fourth lady overall in 3:25:07.

Christian Robinson was the next Trotter home in 3:40:41 to finish 44th overall. Kathryn Steemson made a highly accomplished marathon debut, finishing as second in the ladies over 45 class with 3:52:30. Five other Trotters also collected a finishers medal, consisting of Roger Hayes (3:56:56 – 63rd), Phillip Smith (3:56:47-64th), Andrew Rattlidge (4:22:11), Gary Brooking (4:28:32) and Bon Rymal (4:28:33-96th). There were 114 finishers overall.

In the half marathon distance, Jacki Woon continued her rich vein of form, finishing as first female 55 vet in a club record of 1:36:29.

And there was another age group win for Alan Kember who finished as the leading male veteran for over 60s with 1:36:27. Julian Scanes continued his excellent streak of quick times unabated with 1:23:41 to finish 23rd overall and third M50.

Duncan Knight continued his improvement, shaving more time off his best to log a new personal best of 1:33:27, placing 69th overall. There was also another PB for Debbie Proctor logging 1:44:20 for 138th.

On a memorable day for the club, there were also fine performances by Martin Randall (1:36:25 – 83rd), Mandy Wheeler (1:36:38 – 87th), Elizabeth Nuttall (1:37:53 – 99th), Ben Elhick (1:38:35 – 102nd). Sarah Pike (1:46:19 – 156th) Jason Trevend (1:47:36 – 161st), Jemma Bennett (1:49:51 – 180th), Kim Knight (1:49:51 - 198th), Oliver Thomas (1:54:30-225th), Natalie Burgess (1:55:18 – 230th), Eamon Crowe (1:59:26- 265th), Dominique Harcourt (2:04:15 -  303rd) and Susanne Westgate (2:19:03 – 391st). 468 runners completed the half marathon.

Postman Kevin Woodard delivered a first-class performance at the Manchester Marathon. He returned to sub three-hour marathon form by clocking a searing 2:58:50. After going off hard, passing the 10k mark in 38:09 and half marathon at 1:22:03, he faded somewhat in the second half with cramp.

But he dug deep to post his second ever marathon finish under three hours, to place 1163rd in field of 24,000 runners. Runners had a cold start to contend with, but the temperature picked up, but so did the wind.

James Saunders logged another super solid marathon, completing the race in 3:08:13. He described the event as having a “superb atmosphere around the course, especially around Altrincham.”

Whilst Lance Mason's comeback continue to gather pace, he clocked 3:25:21. There was also a terrific PB from Neil Rutley, slashing seven minutes off his previous best to finish in a superb 3:50:32. And Derek Skinner banked another marathon finish, clocking 3:50:32

Closer to home, Allan Taylor and Rob Faulkner took in a race with an altogether more natural environment, the Axe to Exe race, organised by Sidmouth Running Club.

The race starts on Exmouth Seafront following the South West Coastal Path to Seaton, running through Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Branscombe.

Following a landslip in Seaton, the race has been extended to 22 miles from its traditional 20 mile distance. Taking a familiarly undulating route that is standard for the coastal path, the event provides a tough test for the hardiest of runners.

Allen and Rob finished alongside one another in 93rd and 94th place, clocking 4:40.23. There were 142 finishers in total.

Meanwhile, Ewan Walton put in an impressive run at the delayed First Chance 10k event in Exeter. He clocked 38:29 to finish 14th. Laura Law and Melanie Sheehan placed 86th and 87th in 55:02 and 55:03 respectively. Zilpah Walton 73:25 to place 127th.

Finally, at Saturday’s City Runs-organised Power 10 and 5 mile races at Powderham there was an awesome foursome of Trotters in action. Teresa Holmes took part in the 10 mile race, clocking 2:19:30 to finish 145th. There were 147 finishers.

In the 5 mile race, Steph Ross was 75th in 53:07, Tamsin Cook was 106th in 58:36 and Clair Farrar clocked exactly 60:00 to place 119th. There were 146 finishers in total. 

Another personal landmark is looming on the horizon for another club stalwart. Graydon Widdecombe completed his 99^th marathon at the Running Events Devon Spring Challenge in Exmouth. With 3:56:34, he was the fastest of the 11 runners to complete the marathon distance on the lapped course Sunday. He is now one step away from the century.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Karen O’Brien took on the half marathon and was third quickest from nine, clocking 2:32:46. The previous day Brian Lewis took on the challenge event and completed a distance of 6.58 miles in 52:02.