The latest round of the hotly contested club championship took place in East Devon at the Coly Ten trail race by Axe Valley Runners. The club are infamous for their not so flat trail races as our club mates found out.
The course could have been easier with hills described as brutal, mud, slippery trails, river crossings, even Bears to contend with. However, specsavers confirmed only cows were on the course. The sizeable trotter turnout (22) provided camaraderie, bravery in the face of the perils, and gallows humour as the odd slip and slide took place. If the Oh my Obelisk and the Feighan Fury had a love child it would be the Colyten! Brutal but enjoyable! was one quote. Powered by jelly babies our gallant runners did well with some award winning performances.
Chloe Olford led the team over the line, Samantha Galvin was the final trotter home, and a special mention to Michelle Doherty taking on her longest race yet in the challenging conditions. Awaiting confirmation of the full approved results, the prelim results are listed above.
Pete Kirby ran the Chester Marathon on Sunday 6 October for the England Athletics Masters team. Pete had qualified earlier in the year to represent the England team in the Vet 75-79 age group category in Chester. The team was made up of runners in various age categories from England Athletics affiliated clubs. They were competing against an equivalent team from Wales.
The Chester marathon course is the only Marathon in the UK that spans both England & Wales. It is held on closed roads covering 19 miles in England & 7 miles in Wales. At the beginning, runners pass Chester's iconic landmarks, for example, the Cathedral, Roman Walls etc. They then head out into Cheshire & North Wales countryside before finishing alongside the River Dee in Chester. Conditions were cool & breezy. Pete's training had been disrupted at times due to injury, so he was really pleased to complete the marathon in 4.40.47. Well done sir.