DECENT weather helped for an explosive start in the fireworks season as Teignbridge Trotters participated in Devon and overseas.

Caroline Clark and Corinne Bright took part in the Toffee Apple Challenge, consisting of out-and-back 5k laps. Corinne completed three in 1:30:23 and Caroline completed four, achieving first lady in the half marathon distance.

In nigh-on perfect conditions, Trotters showed themselves to be amongst the county’s very best in Bideford's very fast-paced 10-mile race. They filled their boots with five podium finishes and four new club records.

First Trotter home was Alex Sparks in 21st place in a great time of 57.36, closely followed by Tim Pratt in 26th place (58.14).

Chloe Olford set a new Senior F Club record with 1:04:19 and was 3rd FSen. Next came Suzanna Pratt- 1:08:36 and Chloe Weeks- 1:09:43. Together they were the 1st placed female team.

Second-placed Female Vet team were Freya Morrissey (1:12:48, 3rd FV35), Mandy Wheeler (1:13:43, 3rd FV50) and Jacki Woon (1:15:15, 2nd FV60). Jacki set a new club record, knocking no less than 15 minutes and 46 seconds off of the previous time.

Ben Elphick – 128th 1.10.50 and Steve Weeks 129th in 1.10.50. Final Trotter home was Bob Small with a new club MV75 record of 1.20.35, finishing in 265th position as 1st MV75.

Graydon Widdicombe, the travel correspondent, took part in the New York City Marathon, his sixth and final world marathon major. The race begins with Sinatra’s spine-tingling “New York, New York” and Graydon came home in 3:55:47.

Tim Synge ran in the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes, a route running pretty much along the coast from Nice to Cannes via the resorts of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. He reports: "I set out with an eye on the four-hour pacers and managed to stay among them until around mile 23, where fatigue set in. I decided that these opportunities to run on flat courses don’t come along that often in Devon, so hung on for a great time of 3:59:53".