Hot, Flat & Spicy

The conditions were hot and sunny for racing as Teignbridge Trotters took part in races far and wide. The club outing to the Ottery 10K by Honiton RC was a success as 30 lined up for the flat and fast local event with points available for the increasingly spicy club championship. Leading the charge was the talented improver Alex Sparks finishing 2nd out of 297 runners.

Also claiming prizes were Helen Anthony 3rd female and 1st female vet 45+, Melanie Brooks 2nd female vet 45+ and James Saunders as 1st male vet 60+.

Full results were Alex Sparks 2nd 35.15, James Saunders 12th 41.37, Ben Elphick 15th 42.10, Helen Anthony 17th 42.19, Steve Weeks 19th 42.25, Melanie Brooks 24th 43.06, Andy Gillson 31st 43.44, Chloe Weeks 45th 45.29, Ian Langler 54th 46.13, Neil Rutley 71st 48.28, Jacki Woon 84th 49.43, Tim Synge 99th 51.22, Kathryn Steemson 106th 52.06, Adam Doherty 127th 54.02, Corinne Bright 130th 54.33, Chris Andrews 159th 57.11, Ruth Johnson 167th 58.04, Eamon Crowe 178th 58.55, 

Samantha Galvin 197th 1.01.40, Lucy Payne 203rd 1.03.17, Cheryl Dunn 218th 1.05.56, Rod Payne 219th 1.06.49, Frances Bowler 228th 1.07.56, Nicky Swan 245th 1.10.43, Victoria Hales 291st 1.27.12, Sarah Blanchard's time was too good to publish, from 297 finishers.

Results here. Results

The Exeter Marathon took place on a flat course including the quayside, Countess Weir, and part industrial estate. Whilst not perfect conditions the speedy James Long finished in a super 4th place in a time of 2:59:51, 3rd male 35+. Paul & Shaz Sharples continued in the pursuit of yet more marathons but finding the going tough, persevered to finish in a time of 5.18.56, 2nd male 65+, 3rd female 55+.

On the North Devon coast Laura Law took part in the Bideford 10K, finishing in a time of 57.46. Chairman Roger Hayes fitted into his holidays the fast and flat Dereham (Norfolk) 10miler, in Mediterranean like conditions. The shorter distance was a challenge compared to marathons and overcoming adversity he finished 118th/348 in 1.15.54

In recent weeks runners also took part in the Milton Keynes marathon, Derek Skinner came 1019th in 04:26:47 out of 1731, whilst Roger Hayes 307th/2139 in the Half Marathon in 1:26:58. At the same time Steve Edwards broke a world record completing his 1,000th marathon.

At the Beacon Beast Marathon on the Bodmin Way route with amazing views Shaz Sharples was 72nd + Paul Sharples 73rd in 5:52:18 after another 26.2 miler.The course is a unique figure-of-eight route that incorporates five very different churches along the way. The Runners encountered bridges, streams, stiles, fields, bogs, and even a boardwalk during the challenging circuit. The route also provided panoramic views of the town from Bodmin Beacon Nature Reserve.M ark Wotton took on the Beastly Half 03:19:29 with 95 finishers. Mark quoted " tough and hilly a mix of road and trail, starting at priory park goes up to the Bodmin beacon obelisk through Lanhydroc and Cardinham woods, some very muddy parts but mainly pretty dry weather was great as well which helped the race, finished back at a church where there was free coffee tea and cake "

Newport marathon, three Trotters took on the flat welsh marathon course. First Trotter home was Claire Mckenna 3:26:35 463rd, A new PB by 2 minutes. Rachel Steele 3:41:19. 734th, Glen Palmer 3:46:26 872nd. Ruth Johnson completed the LDWA Devon Dumpling event in East Devon, completed the rural scenic hilly classic in Budleigh Salterton in 7.22.00.