Trotters finish strong at Torbay Half & 10K

Torbay Half Marathon and 10K - Sunday 20th September

Teignbridge Trotters were out in force at the Torbay Half Marathon & 10K on Sunday 20th September, joining hundreds of runners in near-perfect conditions for one of the South West's most popular road racing events.

With stunning coastal scenery, enthusiastic crowds and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the route, the event once again attracted a huge field of competitors across both race distances.

The Trotters were the best represented club in the Half Marathon, fielding 27 runners, comfortably topping the club participation table ahead of Plymouth Musketeers, who had 19 entrants. The strong turnout underlined the club's excellent support for one of the region's premier road races.

There was age-category success in the 10K for Lucy Payne, who claimed first place in the FV75 category, continuing the club's tradition of strong performances across all age groups.

The 10K attracted 912 finishers, with George Paton of Yeovil Town RRC taking victory in 35:10, while Emily Criddle was first female home in 41:31. Teignbridge Trotters had 12 runners competing in the 10K, just behind Plymouth Musketeers' 14 entrants in that race.

In the Half Marathon, Alex Sparks produced an outstanding performance, finishing in 1:12:53 to lead the Trotters home and secure an excellent second-place overall finish. The race was won by Michael Sandiford of Fordy Runs in 1:12:43, just ten seconds ahead of Sparks, while Laureen Knox of Storm Plymouth claimed the women's title in 1:22:54.

Results are not listed by club unfortunately, but you can read your favourite athlete's time here: Results for Torbay Half Marathon and 10k 2026 — Sportmaniacs

THE LAP (Anti-clockwise version) - Saturday 12 September

After successfully completing the clockwise version of the iconic Lake District ultra, The Lap, in May 2024, Teignbridge Trotter Sue Tremlett felt there was unfinished business. Having originally entered the anti-clockwise route for September 2025, a difficult year of health issues and injury forced her to defer her plans until this autumn.

Despite losing her original running companion along the way, Sue arrived on the start line at 6am, accompanied by faithful supporters Mr E and Dexy the dog. Conditions, however, were far from ideal. 

Heavy rain greeted runners from the outset, with darkness and a series of early bottlenecks making for a frustratingly slow start. Unfortunately, the weather showed little sign of improvement, with relentless rain persisting for around five hours and strong winds arriving whenever the downpour briefly eased.

Sue described the underfoot conditions as some of the worst she had encountered, with much of the route resembling "running up or down a stream". Waterlogged trails, deep boggy sections and the Lake District's notorious elevations made for a gruelling day.

The anti-clockwise route is widely regarded as the tougher direction, with the major climbs of Wansfell and Loughrigg coming in the latter stages of the race. In the challenging conditions, Sue found the descents even more punishing than the climbs.

At several points during the opening hours, doubts began to creep in about whether finishing would even be possible. A timely SOS message to fellow club members soon brought an overwhelming response. Members of the ever-supportive Locket's Rockets sprang into action, tracking Sue's progress and flooding her phone with encouragement throughout the day.

As daylight faded and darkness returned, Sue joined forces with a small group of fellow run-walkers. Though strangers at the start, their shared determination and camaraderie helped carry her through the final miles to the finish line.

Remarkably, despite the atrocious weather and difficult conditions, Sue not only completed the anti-clockwise Lap but also knocked almost an hour off her previous time for the route.

Reflecting on the experience afterwards, she admitted: "That was so tough. I never want to run that far in one day again, ever! You heard it here first."

The final verdict? Highly recommended for anyone seeking a serious challenge, but be warned: entries sell out fast once they open.

BigSky Marathon, New Forest - Sunday 20th September

On Sunday, Derek Skinner headed to the New Forest for the BigSky Marathon, the final event in the BigFeat Classic Element Trail Series. Starting just after sunrise from Hyde Common, one of the highest points in the New Forest National Park, runners were treated to expansive views across the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately, the hoped-for sunrise never materialised, with low cloud covering the horizon, but the atmosphere remained as welcoming as ever.

The course proved to be a challenging one, featuring long stretches of stone paths through woodland, open heathland, and winding forest trails. While beautifully scenic, the varied terrain demanded constant concentration underfoot and made for a tougher marathon than the profile might initially suggest.

Derek described it as a "tough little course" and admitted it was not his most enthusiastic marathon outing. Along the route, runners benefited from BigFeat's excellent organisation and support, with well-stocked aid stations, plentiful marshals, and clear course marking helping participants navigate some of the New Forest's finest trails.

Further event info here: BigSky Trails (AIR)

Next club championship race: Sunday 11th October The ColyTEN The ColyTEN

Next Trotters race & volunteering opportunity: Sunday 4th October 11:00 (10:15 fun run) Sibelco Templer 10 mile plus 1 mile fun run Sibelco Templer Ten

A huge thank‑you to everyone who contributed to this week’s race report.

To help keep things running smoothly, please send the contributions by 7pm each Sunday to Jo at press@teignbridgetrotters.co.uk.