the Exterminator 10km and Shakespeare marathon battle against the Black Death for trotters this weekend....

The Exterminator 10km and Shakespeare Marathon battle against the Black Death this weekend for the Trotters........

A busy weekend of racing took place of which saw a handful of trotters at each of the events.
On Saturday 7th May it all kicked off with a multi terrain 10km run by the Friends of the South Devon College and South Devon Athletic club called the "Exterminator". It's a tough off road race with some nice scenery and quiet lanes taking in the river Dart and the Mill pond at Stoke Gabriel.

Sarah Whalley lead them in with 82nd place and 52.24. This saw some new names to the trotters scene also with Keith Anderson 117th and 57.01 followed fairly closely by Katrina Duignan 128th in 59.14.Rebecca Weare just missed the hour in 1.00.38 and 136th out of 197 competitors.

On Sunday 8th May up in Stratford -Upon -Avon saw the running of the Rotary "Shakespeare marathon" and "half marathon". This took the marathoners on a two lap course around the area starting with a lap around the town centre before embarking on an undulating course with overcast clouds and slight rain but the sun eventually shining through. A large hill at 8 and 18 miles and some of the route was on an old railway route but which is now a cycle path gave the runners some tough sections.

Daryl (Tarquin) Milford was on fine form and roared into the finish with his best marathon time to date and only a few weeks after London. He did 2.58.11 and came 26th out of 1076 runners.Roger Hayes ran in next for the Royal blues with 3.22.44 and 124th.Virgin marathon couple Gary and his wife Caroline Clark both had really good strong runs but Gary's knee gave out at about 16 miles and he struggled the last 10 miles but still finished in 3.32.10 200th and Caroline 4.13.50 and 640th.

Meanwhile lone trotter, Ben Epps, opted for the half marathon and completed in 1.37.44 and 159th and struggling with a heavy cold. 1667 runners took part in the half marathon.

Nearer to home saw the running of "The Black Death "organized by the Taunton Hash Harriers at
Combe Sydenham Country park in Watchett near Taunton.This is one of the toughest off road races around and should have been 10 miles and inclines to over 1000ft by the second mile, but due to some poorly trees the course had to be made longer and came in at around 10.6 miles! The terrain was around woods and forest tracks, stony paths and steep descents .Tree stumps, roots and loose stones were real hazards to the runners. Half way through the event the heavens opened and the rain poured down drenching all the competitors. A samba band played at the start and all the
marshals were "grim reapers".10 trotters took up the challenge to
survive the black death and they all did!286 runners completed the epic race.








David Tomlin was the 1st trotter to survive and showing what a versatile runner he is, came in 8th place in 1.21.59.
Next was Nick Stevens obviously enjoying this kind of race in 1.33.16 and 31st. Stephen
Barker only 10 places behind in 1.34.52 and John Crocker was 70th in 1.41.35.Nathan Elphick became the 1st victim of blisters but still managed a good time of 1.44.51 and 87th place.

Only 4 trottettes took up this club championship race with Lucy Payne being the first one home even after a very nasty fall at 9.5 miles but with husband Rod Payne to pick her up and dust her off
they finished together in 2.07.06 and gained 194th and 195th place.Behind them and struggling with blisters and a fall at around 6-7 miles saw Sharon (Fizz)Bowman hobble in to survive in 2.10.14 and 205th .Julie Crocker who pushed her all the way was next in 2.11.32 and 211th place surviving
unscathed! Marion Witham who knew what to expect from the course as she
had completed before did 2.35.15 and smiling as she crossed the line and that then had all the trotters safety surviving the "black death" to enjoy a live band, beer tent, hog roast and to wear their "excellent "black death t shirt with pride! And to sort out their wounds!

Also in Holywell Bay near Newquay saw Graham (Inky) Penn run the " Tervornick 10 miler" organised by the Newquay Road runners. It was another hilly off road event over cliff paths and beaches. Gale force winds and a short hail storm added to the difficulties but it didn't deter Inky who finished in 1.33.30 and 224th in a field of 349.

Written By Sharon(Fizz)Bowman

Photos-Top-The Shakespeare Marathon four-Chair,Tarquin,Gary and Caroline(thanks Chair) Middle-The Black Death Trotters!! Bottom-Marion and Fizz with the "Grim Reaper!"