Trotters hit marathon milestone

Paul & Shaz Sharples successfully completed their final marathons of 2023 undaunted by blustery conditions, each hitting the magnificent magical 100 marathon mark at Exmouth.  

On day 3 of the Bell Challenge, December 31st was an epic day for the Sharples coping with wind and rain. Fellow competitors included other Teignbridge Trotters running a variety of distances, their son running his 1st marathon and daughter completing 10km. The 3.3 mile out and back course by running Events Devon meant perseverance was essential to keep going. After finishing in 5:28:34 they were presented with the elusive 100 marathon club medal and shirt sought after by many runners.

The journey to 100 has taken time, it started with Shaz's London marathon in 2005 for children's hospice southwest. Paul started with the 10th running of the Torbay marathon in 1990. They met competing at the infamous hilly Dartmoor Discovery ultra marathon in 2016 and have continued to run most of the marathons together. Pre race antics have included night time burnt toast shenanigans setting off fire alarms amongst many misdemeanours. Shaz achieved her 50th marathon in April 2017 at the plym trail race and Paul got to 50 at the Dartmoor Discovery 2019.

Results from the marathon included Roger Hayes taking 2nd in 3:42, Derek Skinner 4:42:40, Sue Tremlett 5:20:09. 

In the half marathon taking joint 1st overall were Jackie Woon, and Debbie Elphick in a respectable time of 1:48:11, followed by Corinne Bright 3rd in 2:11:51, Samantha Galvin 4th, 2:13:58, Adrian Youngman 5th 2:17:40.

The challenge event was heaving with competing Trotters; on 6 laps (19.74m) Nigel Barnett 3:14:39, 5 laps (16.45m) Clare Youngman 2:37:06, Kim Knight 2:43:55, Pete Aston 2:45:12, Duncan Knight 2:46:07.

Also taking place on the 31st at Seaton was the Final Countdown, a hilly challenging 10K trail race. Runners had several miles to climb up Peak Hill onto Mutters Moor, through woods and fields in soggy conditions. The 2nd half was a lovely long slippy descent back to the finish in Connaught Gardens. First race for a long time for returning Trotters Allen Taylor and Lucy Payne. The results were Steve Weeks 17th in 50:07, Ruth Johnson 102nd in 1:07:08, Allen Taylor 136th in 1:11:09, Lucy & Rod Payne in 185/186th in 1:19:23, Mark Wotton 189th in 1:19:30,