Trotters turn out in force on yet another wet race day!

Race number 2 of the 16 that make up this year's Teignbridge Trotters Club Championship took place on Sunday 15th February. The Dalwood 3 Hills is a tough multi terrain 10 mile race. It's a race that packs a real punch and this year, with all the rain we've had, made for difficult underfoot conditions. Although the race claims to have 3 hills there are in fact more than that, as many of the Trotter first timers found out! The start is on the historic bridge in the village centre of Dalwood, near Axminster. As the runners disappeared into the misty, damp and breathless conditions they were soon faced with waterlogged fields, rutted tracks and plenty of stodgy mud. The steep ascents certainly zapped the legs and meant most of the runners had to resort to walking them. Some of the technical descents were just as bad!

Roger Easterbrook lead the Trotters home, finishing in 4th place in a time of 1:18:34. Ryan Astbury, who continues to impress, was next Trotter home in 1:28:41. Lucy Evans who won last year's Most Improved Female, continued with her rich vein of form as she crossed the line as first lady Trotter  in 1:49:46. Kim Knight was the only Trotter to come away with a prize, winning first FV55 in a time of 1:54:05. Other Trotter finishing times were: Ewan Walton (1:28:59), Duncan Knight (1:31:39), Paul Vowden (1:35:48), Gavin Parrott (1:41:52), Jo Randall (1:54:44), Kathryn Steemson (1:55:44), Derek Skinner (1:57:42), Jayden Taylor (1:58:53), Allen Taylor ( 1:59:06), Callum Price (2:01:35), Corinne Bright (2:02:57), Andrew Morton (2:05:46), Pat Atkins (2:08:55), Sue Tremlett (2:15:00).Amy Davey (2:20:27) and Karen Peters (2:20:29).

Our friend Ceri Rees won the race in 1:12:01. There were 125 finishers. Full results can be found here. 

The re-arranged First Chance 10K organised by SWRR always attracts a high class field and this year was no exception. Originally the race had 83 Trotters signed up to take part. However, after the cancellation of the race last month due to icy conditions, many of them jumped ship to take part at Dalwood or pulled out for other reasons. Nevertheless there were still 46 Trotter finishers! 

The 10K course starts and finishes on Exeter Quay and is held on narrow paths with numerous tight turns, not an ideal course for super quick times. Having had a lovely sunny day the day before, possibly the best day of the year so far, the weather was back to normal with heavy rain on race day! 

Alex Sparks led the Trotters home in a superb time of 33:20 giving him 7th place overall. This was 42 seconds quicker than his time last year. The ever improving George Tranckle was the next Trotter to finish, crossing the line in 35:23. Ben Akyol, 35:41 and Alex Duff  36:09, were the next two Trotters to finish and made up the first Trotter men's team.

Chloe Olford ran a very strong race and was the first lady Trotter to finish in a time of 40:16. That time was faster than the time she ran last year at the Easter Bunny 10K to win the fastest 10K time of the year! Second Trotter lady home was Chloe Weeks in 41:49. Two relatively new ladies to join the Trotters made up the first Trotters ladies team, with Victoria France finishing in 42:57, and Hannah Barley in 44:40. 

Simon Fox running for Exeter Harriers won the race in 32:06. There were 570 finishers. Full results can be found here. 

Many of the Trotters taking part achieved PBs and did themselves and the club proud. Although I'm not too sure what most of them felt about the wooden medal they received for finishing the race!

Lucy Payne travelled to Hampshire to take part in the Bramley 20 mile road race, organised by Reading Roadrunners. It was a fast two lap course held on gently undulating country lanes. The weather was cold with persistent rain. Lucy finished in a time of 3:39:15 in 210th place and was 2nd in her age category.

Rob Corney from Reading Roadrunners won the race in 1:49:05. There were 232 finishers. 

Rod Payne (Race Director) and his wife Lucy (Assistant RD) are pleased to announce that entries for the Totnes 10K have now opened. The race takes place on Sunday 2nd August. You can enter here.

Thank you to those who sent me photos and race reports. Please keep them coming next week and beyond and let's help Jo get off to a good start in her new role as our Press and Publicity Officer.

On On

Chair