On Tuesday 4^th January, Natalie Clare and Joe Hornsby drove the short distance to test their speed progression at the Runexe 5 mile Exmouth race. The two lap course sent the runners along the flat promenade, ensuring some very fast times.

Out two Club runners did not disappoint, both recording very impressive times. Joe is showing some great early season form, finishing in 10^th place in a rapid time of 00:30:23. A real confidence booster for the months ahead.

Not to be out done, Natalie is starting to show her true potential having trained hard in the months leading up to this race. Natalie posted a stunning time of 00:35:08 to finish in 29^th position.

There were 45 entrants.

On Sunday 9^th January, the Plympton January Jaunt 10K took place in Plymouth. The race was organised by The Plympton Round Table, and is a very popular race for local runners to test how their winter training was progressing.

The 9:00 am early start meant that the temperatures were on the cool side.

Susanne Westgate, Jimmy Donovan & James Saunders travelled the short distance down the A38 to represent the Trotters.

The start and finish was at the speedway track entrance, and the course took the runners into the grounds of Saltram House. A lovely out and back undulating route, but at the 2 mile point the runners had to negotiate a long steep hill taking them up to Stag Lodge. The turnaround point was at the top of the hill.

James led our trio home, finishing in 12^th place, clocking a new personal 10K best of 00:40:46. He snipped 17 seconds of his previous best time. James also won the MV55 age category award.

Jimmy Donovan ran an encouraging race on his reappearance to the race scene. Jimmy posted a great time of 00:53:20 to finish 108^th.

Susanne ran a tremendous race, finishing 148^th in a time of 00:57:30. The time was an 8 second improvement on her last race on the course before lock down.

There were 274 finishers.

The event was very well organised and lots of pennies will hopefully go to the Round Tables chosen local charities.

Firstandlastrunningstaged their Winter Half, Marathon and Ultra races, on the weekend of the 8^th & 9^th January.

Situated on the edge of Dartmoor, the start took place at Clearbrook Village Hall. The runners set off with a short loop of the village, before heading down Cycle route 27 towards the outskirts of Plymouth, before climbing back towards the finish at the village hall. Marathoners had to complete this loop twice!

On the Saturday, 6 Trotters took part in the Marathon. The weather conditions were horrendous with driving rain and strong winds to contend with. This didn't deter our Club runners from all completing the distance in impressive times.
Roger Hayes finished in a fine 6th place, clocking a time of 03:41:54. Graydon Widdicombe posted a time of 03:49:50 to finish 8th.
The other Trotters positions & times: Derek Skinner (10, 03:52:19), Chris McIntosh (14, 04:42:23), Paul Sharples (24, 06:06:35), Sharon Sharples (25, 06:06:35). There were 30 finishers.
Weather conditions improved considerably the following day. Graydon completed his 97th marathon and his 4th marathon in 10 days. He finished in 5th place in a time of 03:55:05. There were 25 entrants.
Rod Payne lined up in the Half marathon and put in a solid performance. Rod crossed the line in 8^th place, posting a time of 02:09:06. There were 26 finishers.

Also on Sunday, the 4^th round of the Westward XC series took place at Westward Ho.

Three Teignbridge Trotters travelled to the North Devon coast, which proved to be a very muddy affair, on a flat waterlogged arena. The strong headwind was also a hindrance. Nether the less, our three Club runners thoroughly enjoyed the stern test.

Joe Hornsby, fresh from his efforts at Exmouth during the week, put in yet another fine performance, at completely opposite ends of the scale regarding conditions. Joe finished in 46^th spot, clocking a time of 00:30:51.

Alex Lyons is thriving on these cross country events. Alex took the tape in 00:37:50 to finish 88^th.

In the ladies race, the rapidly improving Natalie Clare, finished in 24^th place, clocking a great time of 00:22:49.