Trotters smash their own club record!

History was made on Saturday 12th July, when a record number of Teignbridge Trotters took part in the Forest Flyer. An incredible 76 of them crossed the finish line, smashing the previous record set in 2019 when 57 finished the Chudleigh 6 race.

The Forest Flyer is organised by Haldon Trail Runners. It’s a 5 mile race held on the forest tracks, paths and fire roads in Haldon Forest. All the race profits went to the Exeter based cancer charity, Force.

The club’s vice chairman, Nathan Elphick, who also ran the race, commented: ‘All those that ran tonight did the club proud. To get that many Trotters in one race was simply fantastic. It was a sea of royal blue vests, like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before. We chose this race as part of our Club Championship; apart from being a cracking race, we feel it’s really important to support fellow local running club organised races’.

Race conditions were a little on the warm side as the race got underway at 6pm, with temperatures hitting 23 degrees, although with only a slight breeze, it felt a lot hotter than that!

Runners faced an undulating first four miles, with more downhill sections than up. However, the last mile is infamous for its long steep hill. Anyone taking part needs to have kept something in the tank to get to the top of it without having to walk! That was certainly the case for Alex Sparks, who charged up the hill on his way to winning the race in a superb time of 28:11. This was another race win to go with his impressive, rapidly expanding collection.

Donald Brooks was hot on the heals of Alex, coming home in 28:27 for second place and first MV40. Making it a Trotters podium finish, Ben Akyol was third overall in 30:29.

The Trotters didn't quite repeat the same feat with the ladies podium. However, Chloe Olford continued with her impressive return to form, she was First Lady, crossing the finish line in a time of 34:34. Helen Anthony was third lady overall and first FV40 in a time of 35:43.

Other Trotters to win their age categories were; Mel Brooks, FV50 (36:36), Lucy Payne, FV70 (50:51) and Trevor Irons, MV70 (45:27).

This was the 10th race in the Trotters 2025 Club Championship, which consists of a selection of 16 different races in both distance and terrain. Club Championship secretary, Deb Hart said: ‘It’s certainly going to keep me busy inputting everyone’s times. It’s calculated on age graded performance and provides fantastic competition within the club. It was awesome to see so many Trotters take part.’

Attention now turns to the next championship race, which is the South Devon Relays on Friday 1st August. Two days later, on Sunday 3rd August, it’s the Trotters turn to stage one of their five annual races - the Totnes 10K and 1-mile fun run. Entries are filling fast, with over 380 already signed up. You can enter online via the Teignbridge Trotters website.