THE conditions were hot and sunny for racing as Teignbridge Trotters took part in races far and wide. The club outing to the Ottery 10K by Honiton RC was a success as 30 lined up with points available for the club championship. Leading the charge was the talented improver Alex Sparks finishing 2nd out of 297 runners.

Also claiming prizes were Helen Anthony 3rd female and 1st female vet 45+, Melanie Brooks 2nd female vet 45+ and James Saunders as 1st male vet 60+. 

Full results were as follows: Alex Sparks 2nd 35.15, James Saunders 12th 41.37, Ben Elphick 15th 42.10, Helen Anthony 17th 42.19, Steve Weeks 19th 42.25, Melanie Brooks 24th 43.06, Andy Gillson 31st 43.44, Chloe Weeks 45th 45.29, Ian Langler 54th 46.13, Neil Rutley 71st 48.28, Jacki Woon 84th 49.43, Tim Synge 99th 51.22, Kathryn Steemson  106th 52.06, Adam Doherty 127th 54.02, Corinne Bright 130th 54.33, Chris Andrews 159th 57.11, Ruth Johnson 167th 58.04, Eamon Crowe 178th 58.55, Samantha Galvin 197th 1.01.40, Lucy Payne 203rd 1.03.17, Cheryl Dunn 218th 1.05.56, Rod Payne 219th 1.06.49, Frances Bowler 228th 1.07.56, Nicky Swan 245th 1.10.43, Victoria Hales 291st 1.27.12 from 297 finishers. 

Alex Sparks of the Teignbridge Trotters
Alex Sparks of the Teignbridge Trotters (Contributed)

The Exeter Marathon took place on a flat course including the quayside, Countess Weir, and part industrial estate. Whilst not perfect conditions, the speedy James Long finished in a super 4th place in a time of 2:59:51, 3rd male 35+. Paul & Shaz Sharples continued in the pursuit of yet more marathons and after finding the going tough, persevered to finish in a time of 5.18.56, 2nd male 65+ and 3rd female 55+ respectively.

On the North Devon coast, Laura Law took part in the Bideford 10K, finishing in a time of 57.46. Chairman Roger Hayes fitted into his holidays the fast and flat Dereham (Norfolk) 10miler, in Mediterranean like conditions.  The shorter distance was a challenge compared to marathons and overcoming adversity he finished 118th out of 348 with a time of 1.15.54.

In recent weeks, runners also took part in the Milton Keynes Marathon, Derek Skinner coming 1019th out of 1731 in a time of 04:26:47, whilst Roger Hayes was 307th/2139 in the half marathon in 1:26:58. At the Beacon Beast Marathon, on the Bodmin Way route with amazing views, Shaz Sharples was 72nd + Paul Sharples 73rd in 5:52:18 after another 26.2 miler.

Ruth Johnson completed the LDWA Devon Dumpling event in East Devon, a rural and scenic race in Budleigh Salterton, in 7.22.00. Finally, to the Newport Marathon, where three Trotters took on the flat course. The first Trotter home was Claire Mckenna 3:26:35 463rd, a new PB by 2 minutes. Meanwhile, Rachel Steele ran in 3:41:19 to come 734th, and Glen Palmer ran in 3:46:26 to come 872nd.