Christian Robinson finishes 2019 off in style with a win at Betteshanger Challenge

Two of the Clubs nomads, Andrew Fox and Christian Robinson, travelled to Deal in Kent, to compete in the Betteshanger Challenge, also on New Year’s Eve. The event was organised by Saxons, Vikings and Normans.

The venue was located in Betteshanger Country Park, but was once one of the largest colliery’s in Kent. The park was formerly known as Fowlmead Country Park until 2015, when new owners renamed it.

The Challenge entailed running for a maximum 6 hours, running as many laps of the 4.37 loops as you wanted. The loop was undulating with 100 feet of elevation. The route led the runners through some lovely woods, grasslands and wet lands. There was also 2 miles of a well-drained cycle track.

Both Andrew and Christian opted for the half marathon distance. Both ran superbly, to finish 1^st and 2^nd. Christian won the event, clocking a time of 1:37:45.

‘Foxey’ finished 2019 in good style, by completing the challenge in 1:40:27. Well done lads.

There were 59 entrants.

Windingpaths hosted a new event, The Final Countdown, on New Years Eve. Situated within the stunning grounds of the Dartington Estate, this 6.6 mile mainly trail race attracted a host of local runners, in what was a sell out race.

The race route took the runners across fields, through forests, stony trails, gates, and lots of muddy stretches.
The race was very well organised and the marshals were all very supportive and enthusiastic. All finishers collected an aptly designed medal with midnight approaching!

A large contingent of Trotters supported the event and were all in good spirits. The weather was dry but with a chill in the wind.

Ewan Walton ran a great race to lead the Trotters home. This was a tough challenge but this didn’t deter Ewan, who finished in 5th place, recording a time of 00:44:44.

Second Trotter home, was the ever improving Max Conroy. Max thrives on this type of race and will improve further in 2020. He finished in 17^th place, posting a time of 00:51:03.

The Clubs first female Trotter was Ruth Johnson, who also loves this form of racing. The muddier the better!! Ruth clocked a time of 01:00:33 to finish 56^th.

The other Trotters positions and times were: James Saunders (19,00:51:28), Bon Rymel (31, 00:55:03), Bob Small (48, 00:58:57), Robert Faulkner (62,1:01:37), Tamsin Cook (82, 1:05:00), Ed Hounsell (86,1:06:00), Sue Tremlett (94, 1:07:34), Sue Brown (99,1:08:11), David Dunn (103, 1:08:52), Mark Wotton (106, 1:09:00), Suzie Mills (145, 1:15:45), Andy Distin (201, 1:27:13), Zilpath Walton (235, 1:38:03). There were 245 finishers.

Emma Ray and Teresa Holmes started 2020 in great style while competing in the New Year’s 5 miler, held in Exeter. The flat and fast course was run on footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick Playing Fields and the River Exe Flood Relief. This was a perfect opportunity to test how the winter training was progressing. Weather conditions were overcast and cool, just about perfect.

Emma is progressing tremendously, as her performance here suggests. Emma set herself a target of a sub 40 minute time, and that’s exactly what she did. Her final time was 00:39:19 to finish in 59^th position. Emma also competed a great day by finishing 3^rd in the FV40 age category.

Teresa Holmes also ran particularly well, clocking a time of 00:52:04. Teresa finished 100^th and 2^nd in the FV60 age category. Well done ladies.

Tom Merson, representing Exmouth Harriers, won the race in 00:24:22. There were 116 finishers.