PBs Galore at Ivybridge and a New Club Record for Jacki

It was a diverse weekend of racing for our merry band of Trotters - as the Lads took themselves off to Somerset for a weekend of 'Sch - you know what' the stay at home Trotters had a field day at the Ivybridge 10k. 

On Saturday 29 Teignbridge Trotters took part in the Ivybridge 10k organised by Erme Valley Harriers and of these 14 returned personal bests and yet another Club Record fell. On a perfect evening for running our Royal Blue boys and girls went about their work with great gusto.

In a field of 679 finishers Daryl 'Tarquin' Milford ran a magnificent PB of 34.48 to record 7th place in a strong contingent of local athletes. Just behind in 9th and running his best 10k time for 3 years was Dave Tomlin in 34.56. He was followed by Ewan Walton who was another to run a PB of 37.29 for 26th place overall. Between them these three claimed second team prize, nudging out Plymouth Harriers by 5 clear points. Lance Mason who is still troubled by injury was 34th and as reward for his effort was 2nd M50 winner in 37.59. Lance was behind a runner he usually beats on the circuit so in all probability his injury cost him a win in the category. 

Mike Eveleigh went one better however in claiming 1st M60 prize. Mike is still a fine athlete, testimony to his 65th place in a cracking 40.26. Stephen Barker was consistent as ever finishing 75th in 41.03 and Wilf Taylor put in another gutsy run finishing 99th in 42.25. Stewart Dunn with his left knee heavily strapped was 107th in 42.54. Then came our first lady Jacki Woon who ran a superb PB of 44.10 to take 136th place and claim for herself a new FV45 Club Record. Sharon Bowman, the previous record holder also beat her old record on the night to finish 165th in a swift PB of 45.20, Clare Youngman worked hard right up to the finish to record 168th place in 45.30. After a race layoff of over 5 months Nathan Elphick was delighted with 177th place in 46.05 and Paul Banks, now an established part of the Trotter race regulars was 181st in 46.09. Stuart Moulsen following a difficult time at the North Dorset Marathon the previous week bounced back into form 193rd in 46.28, Mel Dunn enjoyed her night in the sunshine 209th in a PB of 46.57 as did the ever improving Sarah Schutte 232nd in a PB of 47.59. Jo Haynes who also gets better with each race was 240th in a PB of 48.09 and Craig Churchill was 254th in 48.31.

Geoff Davison in the Royal Blue vest for the first time was 302nd in a PB of 50.12 and Dave Dunn, who suffered a hamstring injury in training 3 weeks ago made a swift start and hung on in dogged fashion to finish 333rd in 51.27. Also in his first race as a Trotter Filipe DaSilva was 336th in 51.31. Katrina Duignan was another who bagged herself a PB on the night, 353rd in 52.01 as did Keith Anderson, whose energetic style propelled him to 378th place in 53.05. Eleanor Taylor is enjoying some great form recently and followed up her fine run at the North Dorset Marathon with another terrific run and was 381st in 53.11, The personable Guy Roberts, always smiling, was 398th in a PB of 53.39 and Lucy Payne, now almost recovered from her Record Breaking exploits at the Milton Keynes Marathon bounced back on the trail of Suzie Ashleigh-Thomas' 10k record, 415th in a PB of 54.12, Sarah Seymour was 452nd in an impressive PB of 55.28. Catherine Barnes was looking to get under 60 minutes for 10k for the first time and eclipsed th mark, 458th in a PB of 55.43 and Jo Billyard was another who was delighted with her time of 56.52 to finish 485th. All 29 runners back in under 57 minutes proves what strength in depth the club now has.

 
On Sunday as part of the lad’s weekend away 13 bleary eyed Trotters plus one who enjoyed a sober Saturday lined up at the Jack n Jill Challenge 10k in Somerset.

Chris Cleave got his teeth into the race and led the boys home 10th out of 118 finishers in 46.59. This, despite Saturday's 'hydration programme' won him 1st MV40 prize. He was followed by Roger Hayes 20th in 50.06 and Travis Wood 22nd in 50.56. Ian Langler 32nd in 52.49 and Dan Wride 34th in 53.03. Phil Perry was next 48th in 55.20 followed by an extremely bright eyed Graham 'Inky' Penn 58th in 57.51, Chris Wride can still teach his boy a thing or two about partying but watches him disappear up the road in races these days. He was 63rd in 58.53 and tour prankster and game show host Gary Watson was 70th in 59.53. Bosom buddies John Skinner and Andrew Ludlam ran like a pair of t--s and both recorded 1.01.24 in finishing 75th and 76th respectively and Mark Wotton was 80th in 1.02.43. Jim Donovan was 90th in 1.06.30 and in testament to a great weekend Peter Royle was 112th in a memorable 1.22.08.

Away from the hurley burley of touring, three Trotters took part in the Bideford 10k. Tim Theobald led the trio back 93rd out of 520 finishers in 44.37 followed by Peter Kirby 102nd and 2nd M60 prize winner in 45.02 and Chris Rogers was 189th in a PB of 50.20.
 

Rounding up the weekend proceedings was lone Trotter Geoff Davey who took part in the Crediton Crunch a tough over-distance 10k. Geoff ran an impressive race to finish 9th out of 180 finishers in a fine time of 41.40.
 

Photos: Top: Tarqs, Tommo and Ewan 2nd team at Ivybridge. Middle: Trotters show up at Ivybridge. Bottom: A tight lipped Chris Cleave claims 1st MV40 at the Jack n Jill Challenge