Trotters were in action for the Club Championship, and taking part in major events across the pond, and here in the UK. Rachel & Matt Steele made it into land of the tariff and the not so free USA for the highly regarded Boston Marathon. Rachel explained " They bused us inland to Hopington and we ran back via the Newton Hills to finish at Boston. It was hilly, we mentally prepared ourselves for the Newton Hills from mile 15-21 but didn't consider the hills getting to that point! It was a tough course with temps getting into the 70s apparently with a cooler sea breeze finish. A fantastic experience from start to finish and my 5th star, matts 4th star race. (iconic marathon events as explained by Graydon in an earlier report) Times were 3.37.30 Rachel, 3.38.55. Matt.

The Yeovil 10K took place recently and counted for the very popular club points. The Club Championship includes a variety of distances, types of course include trail or road, hills and flat courses. The handicapping system allows for a reasonably fair balance between people of different ages with varying strengths, with the flat Yeovil course suited to those who like a smooth effort with a good standard of runner, with no hazards, hills, or surprises.

https://www.teignbridgetrotters.co.uk/club-championship/club-championship

The Easter Bunny flat & fast 10k at Yeovil was a well run, decent quick course by Yeovil Town Running Club with helpful conditions, good for a P.B and Trotters filled their boots with prizeware. 

Overall 2nd place Donald Brooks - also 1st MV40 33.23 - Club Record

Overall 3rd place Alex Sparkes - 1st Male Senior 33.39

MV50 - 3rd Dunan Knight - 41.23

MV70 - 2nd Bob Small - 49.28 - Club Record (by 1 min 18 seconds)

Female Senior - 3rd Chloe Allford 40.26

FV45 1st Mel Brooks 42.20

FV45 2nd Tracy Elphic 44.04

FV45 3rd Liz Nuttall 44.04

Teignbridge Trotters 1st Male team - Donald Brooks, Alex Sparkes & Ewan Walton

Teignbridge Trotters 1st Female Team - Chloe Allford, Mel Brooks & Chloe Weeks.

Teignbridge Trotters 2nd Female Team - Tracy Elphic, Liz Nuttall & Kathryn Steemson

The London Marathon took place in warm sunny conditions and plenty of Trotters made the trip for the experience, carnival atmosphere, and hopes for a decent time.  The race organisers went public on Friday stating it was not the conditions for a P.B and installing showers around the course.

Deborah Hart's name was drawn out of the hat by Michelle Doherty at the Trotters Awards Night and as it was the celebrated London Marathon which is hard to gain a place in, well what's a girl to do. Deb was delighted with her 1st marathon in a tad under 5 hours.

Rachel & Matt Steel fresh off the plane from Boston took part, as did Debbie & Ben Elphick who commented "It was a tad hot even from the off. I really enjoyed the experience but it was probably the toughest run I’ve ever done. Knew early on that any thought of a pb was gone. From that point it was just getting to the end and soaking up the atmosphere.

Susanne Westgate completed it and said "It was an amazing day, great atmosphere and brilliant support from the spectators". Jayden Taylor overcame cramp and successfully completed the course which got hotter as the day went on. James Saunders started well but had to slow up and persevere to manage a higher heart rate, the heat and quad pain. Jelly Babies came to the rescue.

You can enter the 2026 ballot here if you are quick

https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/enter-ballot

Adam reported from the popular Manchester Marathon. "It's my second marathon, but Michelle's first, so nervous tension was overflowing. The day started off by heading to Old Trafford (Man Utd currently 14th in the Premiership and not like Premiership winners Liverpool). We got called forward in our wave and the temperature was already starting to rise as the sun put in a strong appearance today. We both started off strong and did the first 6 miles in a good time. 

The crowd was brilliant with lots of music and lots of support. Although a couple of small hills and pretty flat the sun was bloomin hot. We both started to feel it after about 18 miles, but Michelle got her second wave and I had to deal with the old IT band issues (the calves held up but did give me a few reminders on the way round). 

The last few miles ticked down and we managed to get back together for the last mile and a bit. But in the end Michelle was just too strong and sprinted for the line. I was done. Over all Michelle finished in 4 hours 28 mins, and I came in 9 second later with 4 hours 28 mins and 9 seconds. New PBs for both of us, but a 35 min improvement from last year's and delighted with it "