THE Teignbridge Trotters staged their longest-established race, the Haytor Heller, on Saturday July 20. The race first took place in 1986 when it was called the Moorland Run, then changed its name to the Haytor Heller in 1991.

Race day weather pretty much summed up our summer so far, although the light drizzle and mild air temperature actually made for perfect running conditions. However, it wasn't so good for the many marshals out on the course!

Samuel Deller from Ilfracombe RC won the race in a time of 41:28, with Mark Jenkin (Bideford AC) just eight seconds behind in 41:36. In third place was Tom Perry (Dark Peak Fell Runners) in 42:14.

The first lady to cross the finish line was Fiona German (SWRR) in 52:14. Like the men, second place lady, Charlotte Walker (Tavistock AC) was eight seconds behind in a time of 52:22. Jess Partlett came third in 52:56.

Fiona German- fastest lady at the 2024 Haytor Heller
Fiona German- fastest lady at the 2024 Haytor Heller (Contributed)

Eamon Crowe, Race Director for the event, was full of praise for Samuel and Fiona on their winning performances. He said “To record those times on what is a really tough course is quite outstanding. I take my hat off to all those that managed to complete the race.”

There can't be many races, if any, with such a steep start to a race. Runners are faced with a climb up to the top of Haytor, before descending back down the other side and making their way onto the open moorland and over to Hound Tor for another tough climb up to the top. There are rocks to clamber over as well as a stream crossing to negotiate before finally making their way back up to Haytor and then a nice stretch of downhill to the finish.

Samuel Deller- fastest man at the 2024 Haytor Hellor
Samuel Deller- fastest man at the 2024 Haytor Hellor (Contributed)

The team events are always highly contested and this year was no different, with Okehampton RC winning the men’s event and Torbay AAC winning the ladies.

Running for the Teignbridge Trotters were: Alex Sparks (43:23), Luke Reynolds (46:35), Tim Pratt (49:51), Susanna Gorge (54:41), Andrew Fox (01:02:11), Tim Synge (01:07:09), Neil Rutley (01:07:11), Chris March (01:09:58), Trevor Irons (01:12:04), Matthew Stout (01:15:37), Laura Holland (01:16:21), Sarah Blanchard (01:26:37), Suzanne O’Donoghue (01:30:30), Julie Webb (01:41:28). There were 222 finishers.

This year’s sponsors were Sibelco, Empire Scaffolding, MI Plant and MEC Electrical.

Attention now turns to the Trotters next race, the Totnes 10K (August 4). You can enter online via their website or on the day of the race if it hasn’t reached its 625 limit.