Five Teignbridge Trotters were at Tipton St John on Saturday for the third Otter Valley Rail and River run, writes Graham Penn.

The 10k multi-terrain event is organised by the Womens Running Network, on behalf of the Playing Fields Association. The course was well marshalled and proved challenging in the initial stages.

First of the Royal Blues across the line was Roger Hales in a time of 42:34, second MV45 and fifth overall in a field of 119 finishers. Graham Penn was next, in 32nd position, with a time of 49:32, a personal best time for this particular race and a vast improvement on his 2007 time of 59:24. Third Trotter was Marion Witham 1:04:55, followed by Vicky Hales (1:06:55) and Julie Crump (1:15:53).

On a wet Saturday evening, 13 club members attended the Duckponds 7k at Oreston Primary School playing fields. This popular race, hosted by Plymstock Road Runners, is a two-lap multi-terrain course in and around Radford Park. Thirteen turned out to be anything but unlucky for the ladies as they walked away with first female veterans team prize.

First Trotter home was Garry Smart, in sixth position, out of a field of 158 finishers and a time of 25:26.

Hales, still apparently fresh from his exertions at Tipton St John, was second across the line, 15th overall in 28:21. Tracy Elphick ran a good race, finishing in 30:00, first FV35, third lady in 34th overall position.

Other runners competing were: John Tweedie (28:06), Jim Donovan (30:31), Nathan Elphick (30:34), Gia D`Aprano (31:45), Sharon Bowman (32:26), Milos Erben (33:31), Julia Proctor (33:49) and Tina Caunter (35:59). Marion Witham, also on her second run of the day, finished in 41:58 and Angela Weeks in 44:15.

Sunday saw 11 Trotters flying the flag in Somerset at the Wellington 10. Starting and finishing at the rugby club, competitors had the choice between a ten-mile and a 10k course. Those choosing the former were (in finish order): Mark Becker, Eyvol Aston, Tom Burman, Graeme Baker, Graham Penn, Steve Rawlinson, Kevin Besford, Jo Becker and Steve Blackburn, while husband and wife team Nathan and Tracy Elphick opted for the 10k.

Conditions were far from ideal for the undulating on-road course, with a thorough soaking at the start and humid air to contend with thereafter. The results are unavailable at present due to finish line problems and will be included in a later issue.

Also on Sunday, Peter Blakesley and his wife Angela completed the South West Triathlon at Caldicot, Monmouthshire. Peters combined time for the sprint event (400m swim / 19k cycle / 5k run) was 1:22:38, which placed him third in his age group, with Angela completing in 1:31:14. This was their first such event.

Meanwhile, the intrepid Hales was going for a hat-trick. Accompanied by Ian Langler and Jim Donovan, he was at the 10.5-mile race in Okehampton, hosted by the newly-formed and UKA-registered Okehampton Running Club. Once again, times and positions are yet to be posted.

The previous weekend also featured two heavyweight events: Helen OMalley ran the Charmouth Golden Cap Challenge. The hilly multi-terrain eight-mile course had a field of 257 finishers and OMalley was 130th overall, in a time of 1:16:23.

Meanwhile, lone Trotter Ewan Walton sampled the delights of the Callow Fell Race in the hills behind the Ragleth Inn, at Little Stretton, Shropshire. The five-mile course has 2,700ft of ascent, but held no terrors for Callow veteran Walton as he arrived at the finish in an excellent time of 1:26:44 and 29th in a field of 52 robust finishers.

Finally, in Exeter, four Trotters took part in the second round of the Run Exe Summer 5k series.

Now in its second year, the flat two-lap traffic-free event attracted 64 finishers who had to contend with strong winds on an otherwise pleasant evening.

John Caunter led the Royal Blues home in a time of 21:05 (33rd overall), followed by brother Gary in 36th position (21:47). The family affair was completed by Syd Willocks (22:46) and his daughter Michelle Willocks-Watts (24:19).