Windy, Wet & Wild

The Dawlish Dash by Dawlish Coasters is a 4 mile multi terrain race including sandy beach, groins to clamber over, steps, u turns, and tarmac sections both rough and smooth. Conditions were challenging with near hurricane force winds and lashing rain on the great turnout of the June 13th evening. Opinion was divided on whether this was racing or surviving with sand blasting guaranteed in the out and back beach first mile section. 

The route followed the railway line on the sea wall in severe head winds to Dawlish before climbing inland before the easier return leg. The pre race photo was down on numbers with many hiding in the pub garden ...apparently sheltering ! This was the latest club championship qualifying race and close keen racing followed.

The in form Trotters triumphed, Alex Sparks set off like a sprinter and was gone with the wind before our eyes. Eventually slowing down at the finish to win in a special time of 22.04, Mel Brooks taking 1st lady again in this race in 26:36. Mel said "The alternative DD (to quote Chloe) in challenging conditions, it was great fun, very invigorating in the wind & rain, with really supportive marshals and ….. ice cream!!

Ice creams in damp conditions may be daft but enjoyed by many with post race with queues way longer than seen for many race event toilets.

The 212 finishers included many quality and gritty performances from our club mates including Dartmoor Discovery finishers Long, and Gillson from last weekend. 

The full results are here 

https://www.dawlishcoasters.com/dawlish-coastal-dash

5th Roger Easterbrook 24:08, 6th James Long 24:41, 13th Mel Brooks 26:36, 15th Steve Weeks 26:47, 16th James Saunders 26:58, 19th Helen Anthony 2nd lady in 27:24, 21st Liz Nuttall 3rd lady 27:32, 22nd Duncan Knight 27:35, 24th Chloe Weeks 27:42, 25th Andy Gillson 27:50, 32nd Gregory Cook 29:02, 34th Alan Kember 29:16, 49th Kathryn Steemson 31:44, 51st Neil Rutley 32:10, 52nd Adam (race every week) Doherty 32:14, 63rd Lauren Smart 33:06, 66th Kim Knight 33:41 "properly loves it ...on the return wind assisted part" in describing the race ordeal.

68th Eamon Crowe 34:10, 75th Trevor Irons 34:35, 76th Laura Law 34:40 (desperately needing gloves), 85th Pete Aston 35:35, 96th Jade Reid 36:17, 99th Sue Tremlett 36:39, 101st Eyvoll Aston 36:52, 105th Dominique Harcourt 37:05, 116th Sarah Blanchard 38:10, 119th Chris Andrews 38:36, 124th Stuart Moulson 38:51, 130th Lucy Payne 38:57, 156th Kevin Besford 41:52

Many agreed this was good training for the Friday Erme Valley Relays next week of 2.5m each leg when hopefully less sand will be in trainers or face and it wont feel like winter. The number of regular participants highlighted this is a favourite in the local calendar for variety, atmosphere, and mid week convenience. The chunky bespoke slate medal was a fine memento. 

On Saturday 15th June, the Torbay Twilight 10K took place, a new event for the diary. Limited to 200 runners, this fast flat course was perfect for new Pb's to be created. Seven Trotters lined up on a sunny but very windy evening. First Trotter home was Luke Reynolds clocking a great time of 00:34:39 to place him 5th overall. 

Lukes dad Phil also ran well to finish 17th in a rapid time of 00:38:34. Phil also came 2nd in the MV50 category. Chloe Weeks was the Clubs sole female representative, but she didn't disappoint! Chloe achieved a new Pb by 34 secs, posting a great time of 00:43:01 to finish 45th. Mike Border said "it was a successful event taking 70 seconds off my previous best with a time of 47:30. Would definitely go again next year!

The Trotter times included James Saunders (28, 00:40:10 & 1st MV60), Michael Jones (45, 00:45:11), Michael Border (68, 00:47:30). Kevin Woodard dnf. 

Ruth Johnson and Derek Skinner travelled to take part in the Hampshire Hoppit marathon... more details later