Dartmoor at its best for this year's Haytor Heller

The Teignbridge Trotters staged their annual Haytor Heller race on Saturday 6th September. This was the the 39th anniversary of the race, making it one of the longest established races in the West Country.

This year the race was moved to September, having always previously been held in July, at the request of Dartmoor National Park due to the ground bird nesting season.

Thankfully this didn’t seem to effect the entries with 291 runners entering the race - well up on last year. The start time was brought forward to 5pm, allowing for the pending darker evening.

Those taking part certainly saw Dartmoor at its glorious best. Once they had conquered the steep start up to the top of Haytor, they were greeted with far reaching views of the moor and beyond. The heather added to the spectacle with its striking yellow and purple colours.

The race was won by Ben Perry, representing Exeter Harriers, in a time of 41:47. In second place was Ceri Rees in 42:07 and third was Oliver Paulin from Coventry Godiva Harriers in 43:56. First Lady to cross the finish line (16th overall) was Elizabeth Dyson, from Haldon Trail Runners, in 49:09. In second place was Jo Meek from Winchester RC and third was Cathy Newman, from Exmouth Harriers, in 54:56.

Ladies winner, Liz Dyson, had this to say about her run; “The Haytor Heller is always a tough event, but the stunning views and support from the marshals and other runners more than make up for the tired legs. I found the first climb up to Haytor hard but then found my rhythm and managed to keep pushing to the finish line. I absolutely love the downhill finish and then of course enjoying a slice of the Trotters’ homemade cake!”

The race certainly packs a punch. There are numerous steep climbs and descents, as well as some rocky technical sections within the the 6 mile route. Runners make their way up to Hound Tor before dropping back down, crossing a small stream and climbing back up to Haytor.

Race Director, Kim Knight, was full of praise for all those that took part; ‘This was my first time as Race Director and I really didn’t know what to expect. I needn’t have worried as I was delighted to be part of a fantastic team of Trotters who really knew how to put on a great event. The runners, of course, made the event everything it should be - a fantastic trail race with some impressive finish times and everyone enjoying the splendour of Dartmoor. I’m already looking forward to the 40th anniversary next year’.

First Trotter home was the ever consistent Roger Easterbrook who added to his impressive collection of trophies this year when he picked up 2nd MV50, in a superb time of 47:59, giving him 12th place overall. Also running for the Trotters were: Ryan Astbury (52:31), Steve Weeks (55:12), Chloe Weeks (57:26), Gregory Wilgar-Jones (1:00:10), Jim Marshall (1:05:02), Laura Holland (1:05:49), Kate Williamson (1:08:55), Cheryl Dunn (1:18:19), Amy Davey (1:24:25), Rebecca Smallshaw (1:24:27), Char Lee (1:24:27) and Sarah Blanchard (1:30:21). 

Erme Valley Harriers won both the men’s and ladies team awards. There were a total of 244 finishers.

The Trotters were very grateful to this year’s sponsors: Sibelco, Ocean Physio & Rehab and MI Plant.  

A big thank you to our official race photographers; Sharon Sharples and Rod & Lucy Payne.

Away from all the action on the moor, a small band of Trotters took part in the Treggy 7 on Sunday 7th. The race was a 7 mile circular route starting in Launceston town square. Husband and wife team, Sharon and Paul Sharples, along with Steve Major, took on the challenge.

The first mile headed downhill out of the town and onto rural country roads. The middle section of the route was undulating, with the final 3 miles mainly downhill. The finish was in the lovely grounds of Launceston Castle. The weather was very humid, with rain starting to fall around the 3 mile mark, before heavier rain fell towards the finish. Steve brought the trio home in a time of 1:01:37 (195th place). Paul finished in 1:03:52 (221st) and Sharon crossed the line in 1:07:44 (277th). There were 437 finishers.

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Roger Hayes and Nigel Barnett took part in the Crediton Crunch (also on the 7th), a 10K multi terrain race organised by Crediton Running Network. Conditions were surprisingly firm underfoot, considering the rain that morning before the start of the race. The first 3 miles contained a lot of downhill with the final 3 miles being more undulating, with one very steep off road climb. Nigel was full of praise the race saying; I really enjoyed it, the route was interesting and varied. It was very well marshalled and the bottle of beer at the finish was a particularly nice touch’. For the record, Roger finished in 53:16 (54th) and Nigel 56:43 (76th). There were 158 finishers.

Earlier in the week (Tuesday 2nd) the final Run Exe 5K took place. A series of six races, starting in April and concluding in September, organised by event company, City Runs. The route is a flat, traffic free course, held on footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick playing fields and the River Exe Flood Relief. Prizes are awarded at the end of the series based on runners best four times from the possible six races. Three Trotters took part; Steve Weeks finished in 19:27. Chloe Weeks 19:47 and Jim Marshall 21:25. 

The final standings for the series saw all three Trotters gain podium finishes in their respective age categories. Steve was 3rd MV50, Chloe was 3rd FSen and Jim was 2nd MV60.