Trotters tackle 10km all over the South West.....

TROTTERS TACKLE 10KM ALL AROUND THE SOUTHWEST...........

Saturday 14th May saw the running of the well supported and organised "Ivybridge 10km"It is organised by the Erme Valley Harriers and this year attracted 621 competitors. The race starts at the Ivybridge station car park and takes runners from Bittaford via a rather steep hill at around 2km to Moorhaven and finishing back at the rugby club via another steep hill. The weather was dry but a head wind on the way back.

There was a fair bit of competition between the front trotters with David Tomlin managing to hold off fellow team mate Daryl "Tarquin"Milford as they battled it out around the course. He lead the men home in 35.57 and gained 7th place.Tarquin obviously unperturbed by his sub 3 marathon last week was hot on his heels in 8th place and 36.17.This is his fastest 10km on road to date and showing there is more in the tank with his variety of race distances. Adam Caunter at the tender age of 17 gave the older lads a run for their money too. This was his first race as a Teignbridge trotter after running for Newton Abbot since 2002. He came in 22nd place with a time of 38.06 and he will be one to keep an eye on in future races and could be taking some records within the club in the future. These three splendid results claimed the Men's team prize holding off Tamar Trotters by 1 point!
Nick Stevens not far behind did himself proud with a pb 38.28 and 30th place. Mike Roberts was next trotter in 40.48 and 55th place. John Crocker did 41.45 and 67th place.Roger Hales battled to keep Bruce Campbell off his 83rd place and 42.08 with Bruce next in 42.09!Andrew Ludlum(monkey)who raced his first 10km did a pleasing time of 42.30 and 93rd and just getting in the top 100 came Mark Hamling in 42.39 and 97th.James Henderson did 43.20 and 109th.Ben Epps 43.34 and 113th.Nathan Elphick bagged another pb by 1 minute and 17 seconds to get 127th place with a time of 44.20.Stuart Moulson raced over the line in 45.37 and 155th and Paul Banks 46.02 and 168th.
Sarah Schutte was the first Trottette to cross the line in 49.15 and 238th place. Graeme Baker was hot on her tail with 49.19 and gaining 1st vet over 65 and 240th.Next came a flurry of ladies lead by Mary Goulden in 260th with a time of 50.06 getting her a pb.Joanne Haynes was next in 274th , a new face to the racing scene and 50.31 with Sharon (Fizz) Bowman chasing her all the way in 50.39 and 280th.Husband and wife team Roger and Caroline Hayes enjoyed the race together and finished in 52.25 and 332nd and 333rd respectively. Steve Rawlinson did 53.33 and 378th, Katrina Duignan 54.28 in 389th and Kirsty Chrysanthon 55.14 and 413th saw all the trotters in.

On Sunday another popular 10km took place "the Bideford 10km".This is a fairly fast course taking runners to Instow and back along the Tarka trail cycle path.The wind was in evidence along this section but lone trotter Chris(herald Express) Rogers bagged a personal best time by 12 seconds of 53.40 and 286th out of 545 runners.
Further down near Lostwithiel was the 5 mile multi terrain race "The Boconnoc" ran around the Boconnoc Estate owned by the national Trust.This is a tough hilly course but lone trotter Mark Wotton who likes a challenge completed it in 71st place and with a respectable time of 41.59.
David Taylor found his way to Bristol to support the "Bristol 10km" and ran with 11200 other runners.He came 1943rd and did a creditable time of 48.12 and that result got him 3rd vet 65.The weather was sunny but a gentle cool breeze helped with a mainly flat profile on the course with a few gentle hills.

Report written by Sharon (Fizz) Bowman
Photos- top -Adam,Tarquin and Tommo take the mens Team prize at Ivybridge 10km.Middle-Caroline and Roger(chair)enjoy the finish together Bottom-Joanne Haynes races for the line(thanks Jan for the photos)