A busy weekend of racing as Teignbridge Trotters were everywhere. In Plymouth runners took part in multiple distances across Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k. The heavens opened and left many pretty cold and wet on the start line especially with delays of up to 35 minutes. In the Marathon, Paul and Shaz Sharples managed 4.42.20, with Kate Williamson running a super 10 minute PB in 4.05.06 in her first marathon since having a son.

The half marathon showed some tough conditions with the weather and starting later than expected. Half Marathon results were Phil Reynolds 1:31:24, Steve Weeks 1:34:35, Richard Palmer 1:40:28,
Darin Dodd 1:43:28, Michael Border 1:46:57, Adam Doherty 1:52:12, Michelle Doherty 1:56:43 (new P.B), Kevin Besford 1:59:12, Sophie Thomson 2:09:51. 

Kevin said "I set off in the rain ahead of the two hour pacer and never saw him coming home. I was happy with the time especially managing to climb up the last steep section just before the finish. Rain had stopped by half way but lots of surface water around."

10k, Gavin Parrott 50:30. In the misdirected and crowded 5k Chloe Weeks 21:55, Jaque Shackleton 39:17

Laura Law, took part in a hot Bideford 10k and managed a wonderful pb in 53:51. Celebrating with a great medal and t-shirt to match the ice cream.

Liz Nuttall took part in the Ottery 10k, a lovely route on lanes with a start and finish at the cricket club. This was one of the InStep races this year; well organised and marshalled event with a nice friendly atmosphere. The weather conditions were cool and cloudy at the start but the sun broke through and it soon warmed up. Liz was very happy to be 2nd female, 41st overall, in 45:04, with the famed Jo Pavey handing out the prizes.

Carl & Lisa Bennett returned to their home town of Reading to run the Shinfield 10k which Carl had previously run 35 years ago. With conditions being near on perfect Carl managed a PB time of 42:29 knocking 12sec off his previous best. Not to be outdone, Lisa also managed a PB time of 57:54 knocking off a whopping 4mins off her previous best and achieving her first sub 1hr 10k a fabulous achievement.

The Trotters annual marathon trip took them to Denmark to take part in the 45th Copenhagen Marathon. With 19,069 starting runners and 18,512 finishers, this year’s event was the largest marathon ever held on Danish soil.

Weather conditions were near perfect as the runners got under way at 9.30am. The cool air temperature and frequent feeding stations certainly helped those taking part. This was underlined by the fact that the winner of the men’s race missed out on the course record by just two seconds and the winner of the ladies race missed breaking that course record by five seconds!

Only four Trotters actually made it to the start line, injury and lack of training put paid to others joining them. Club Chairman, Roger Hayes, led them home in a time of 3:31:33. Rog had nothing but praise for the race, he said, ‘That was right up there with the best of races in terms of fantastic crowd support, music, bands, organisation, it was all pretty awesome’.

Next to finish was Neil Rutley, who ran a superb time of 3:47:21. A three minute PB for Neil, all the more impressive as he's approaching 64 years old. Nigel Barnett, the Trotters Chief Marshal for three of their races, was hot on the heals of Neil, finishing in 3:55:09. Completing the quartet was Super Vet, Roger Moss, coming home in 4:15:19. Roger's time made him the 12th fastest MV70-74 in the race.

Nigel commented ‘That was such a great marathon, the atmosphere was electric. A big shout out to all the Trotters out supporting us on the course’. In tradition they all got together afterwards for celebrations and rehydration.

The Ivybridge 10K took place on the 17th with a massive 549 finishers, our participants were 54th Steve Weeks: 41:23 5th MV50, 89th Carl Bennett: 44:10, and 91st Chloe Weeks: 44:14 6th lady. 

Steve Clark completed the Greater Manchester Half Marathon in 2'20 in his section half marathon attempt, and was happy with a new P.B.

Ben & Debbie our Captains reported "In Exeter there were a mighty 48 fabulous Trotters that took part in the relays on Friday night. A special well done to Andrew Moreton, Guy Jary, Greg Cook, Ben Tampkins, Don Brooks, and Jude Reid, who all took part in the relays for the first time for the club.

Our men's senior team came 4th overall, which was absolutely fantastic considering the high standard of runners. That's the highest position we've known at Run Exe Relays since becoming captains.

Mandy Wheeler, Kathryn Steemson, Kim Knight, and Mel Brooks took the FV50 team win . A fantastic evening was had by all.