Festive start to December...................

On Saturday 3rd December four trotters took themselves up to Otterton to complete the 7th “Otterton Reindeer 10km run”.177 others runners did the same with fancy dress being showed off well from Santa’s to elves, Reindeers and even a Christmas tree complete with flashing lights! The course had a hard first 5km starting on a hill beside Otterton Church and lead onto steep fields and then country bridleways. The lanes were very muddy but it didn’t deter anyone in enjoying the “pre Christmas race”.
David"tommo" Tomlin was the only trotter man and came in 3rd place in a strong time of 37.55.Next trotter was Sharon Bowman who joined in the festive fun dressed as a snowman complete with hat,scarf and pipe.She ran 1.02.38 and 124th.Amanda Milverton was next in 1.04.16 and 140th while Marion Witham did 1.08.25 and 168th.Runners were rewarded with a china mug which ,on presentation at the village hall, was filled with mulled wine and a hot mince pie to enjoy.

On Sunday 4th December the final race of “The Westwood Brooks x country league" took place in Exeter at the Exeter Arena.12 trotters completed the course which apart from a strong head wind was fairly good under foot. The women kicked it off with a 5000m course which 60 runners completed. Sharon Bowman (in normal running gear!)brought the trottettes home with a strong run in 49th place with 23.48.Julie Crocker was next in 52nd 24.45 with Tina Caunter on her heels in 53rd 24.50 and followed by Sally Ingledew in 54th 25.03.Lucy Payne arrived next in 56th 25.51 and Eleanor Taylor finished the team effort with 26.16 and 57th and had only flown back from Australia on Friday!
The men then had to contend with an 8850m course and 146 took part. Daryl"Tarquin" Milford lead the trotter men in 35th place and 31.14 closely followed by David"Tommo" Tomlin in 38th 31.30.Lance Mason was next back in 64th 32.48 and John Crocker 112th 37.50.Andrew"monkey" Ludlam was next in 40.17 and 136th with Stuart Moulson chasing him in 139th 41.44.

Lone Trotter Alan Boone ran the “Dales Dash” on Sunday which is a 10k off road race in Staffordshire. Conditions were good but it was a little on the fresh side with a light scattering of rain. Alan was 24th in a time of 44.28. 206 runners completed the course.(thanks Alan for info)

On Monday 5th December lone Trotter Lance Mason sprung into action in the last “Brooks winter 3km series” on the track at Exeter.Although the weather was colder he still managed to pull a personal best time by 3 seconds out of the bag producing a 10.26 for the distance(thanks Lance)

Report written by Sharon Bowman

Photos-Top-Fizz stands by her man at the Otterton 10km Middle-The girls line up for the start of the Exeter X country Bottom-The men just before the off at Exeter