Friday 23rd July, saw the Erme Valley Relays take place. This hugely popular team event takes place in Ivybridge at the rugby club and was superbly organised by the Erme Valley Harriers.

97 teams took part this year, well down on numbers in 2019. A team comprised of four members and the leg was approximately 2.4 miles long. The hilly loop took the run around the quiet country roads of Ivybridge.

It was a frantic evening of racing and a very enjoyable one. The support was amazing and the weather perfect for a great spectacle.

Teignbridge entered four teams, three men’s teams and just the one ladies. Lucy Evans and Joe Hornsby (deputy captain) were the team captains, and thanks must go to them both for their hard work.

The Clubs first team home comprised of Richard Pratt (16:13), Ian Langler (15:26), Joe Hornsby (14:39) & Tim Pratt (15:13) in order of legs. Their combined times was good enough for a superb 13^th place.

The MV40 team of James Saunders (15:48), Chris Broadbent (15:44), Roger Easterbrook (14:42) & Carl Bennett (15:58), combined to finish 17^th overall.

The MV60 team combined well to finish in 75^th place. Phillip Hertio Golom (19:18), John Skinner (24:18), WilfTaylor (22:06) & Neil Rutley (18:40) all ran strongly.

The Trotters female team battled on well, with a storming finish from Sussana Goffe on the anchor leg, to secure the team 88^th place. Teresa Holmes (27:06), Lucy Evans (23:16), Eleanor Taylor (23:15), & Susanna Goffe (16:48) represented the Club brilliantly.

Erme Valley Harriers once again organised a highly successful event. The marshals were very supportive and the start/finish team coped superbly with the frantic action.

The Stoke Gabriel Carnival 10kish took place on Sunday 25^th July. There was also a shorter 5 mile on offer. This race was nominated as the first Club Championship race of a shortened season.

This was a multi-terrain race took in the Millpond and the lovely riverside path alongside the River Dart, before climbing out of the village. The runners crossed fields and bridleways, and the occasional quiet lane. The start and finish line was at the local football ground.

Eleven Trotters began their bid to win the ladies & men’s titles.

Roger Easterbrook was not only the first Trotter home, but won the event in impressive style. Roger clocked a time of 00:53:53 to beat fellow Club team mate, Gary Smart. Gary took second place with a time of 00:56:35.

Clare Youngman was the Clubs first female Trotter home. Clare finished in 50^th place, clocking a great time of 01:14:23.

The other Trotters positions & times were: Chris Broadbent (37, 01:10:27), Neil Rutley (41, 01:12:06), John Pullen (70, 01:21:50), Corinne Bright (75, 01:22:24), Deb Hart (102, 01:28:12), Adrian Youngman (105, 01:28:51), Sue Tremlett (109, 01:33:09), John Skinner (135, 01:38:43). There were 175 finishers.

All finishers received the infamous free bacon bap and a pint oh Hunts Cider. 

Roger Hayes, Derek Skinner & Nigel Barnett travelled east to Dorset to tackle the tough Jurassic Coast Marathon organised by Votwo Events. The event started at Portland on Friday 23^rd & finished in Weymouth on the Sunday. Three marathons in three days! Our Trotters decided on tackling the Saturday marathon. The route was a self-navigated run along the spectacular Dorset coast path, offering spectacular views and 3.435 feet of elevation.

Our lads were picked up from race headquarters, fitted with their tacker, and bussed a mile up the road to the start. The race included a run around Portland, through Weymouth and onto Lulworth Cove. Conditions were very humid during the race.

Roger Hayes led the trio home, finishing in 10^th position in a time of 06:06:19. Derek notched up another marathon to add to his growing list, clocking a time of 06:34:16 to finish 21^st. Social secretary, Nigel, found the going tough but gritted it out to complete the challenge in 06:35:21 to finish well up the field in 22^nd spot. There were 72 runners. 

Philip Dunning took part in the Helena Tipping 10K, a super quick course on the outskirts of Wrexham towards the rural border with Cheshire. This race is staged in memory of former Wrexham AAC member Helena Tipping and since 2019 has been the home of the North Wales 10k road running championships. With a new and even faster course for 2021 this race is set to become a must do for all runners chasing a 10k PB.

Unfortunately, the boiling hot conditions caused Philip to suffer in the closing stages. Nether the less, he still posted a great time of 00:44:50 to finish 201^st.

There were 83 finishers. Matt Clowes representing Cardiff Athletics took the spoils in a tremendous time of 00:29:53.

Running Events Devon is a new venture from a couple well known on the marathon circuit. Tim Lupton has done 200+ marathons and although Jenny is not a runner, she has helped out at a lot of events over the years, and is well known on the marathon circuit herself. RED was due to start last year, but well…..that wasn’t able to happen for obvious reasons.

This course was on an old railway track near Budleigh Salterton and was a very picturesque course on new tarmac. The events were a ‘Challenge Event’, whereby people could run as many of the 5.3k laps as they wanted to in the 7 hours, meaning it was 8 out-and-back laps for a marathon.

Both days were very humid and although there were waved starts, it was a very friendly sociable and very well organised event.

On Day 1, Graydon Widdicombe finished in 5^th place in the marathon, clocking a time of 03:55:55. Paul Sharples ran well to complete the test in 04:38:31 to take 9^th place and Karen O’Brien finished in 12^th spot after crossing the line in 05:38:36. This was Karen’s 19^th marathon and the second quickest.

In the Half Marathon, Sara Keatley produced a memorable performance to take 1^st place in 02:32:14. Chasing Sara home was Sharon Sharples, clocking a time of 02:35:54. Well done ladies.

On Day 2, Graydon won the marathon. His consistency paid dividends as he clocked 03:56:27.

Suzie Mills ran well to clock a time of 02:46:07 in the half marathon to finish in 4^th place.