FEBRUARY started with lots of action for the members of the Teignbridge Trotters.

This year’s Exeter Half Marathon took place on February 8 and 9, a two-lap 13.1-mile course took the runners along the Exeter Quayside, through the scenic Riverside Valley Park, including a loop of Matford and back to the finish line at Haven Banks.

The Trotters were well represented across both days, with a total of 14 racing. There was a terrific atmosphere throughout the race, with lots of fabulous support, helping the runners tackle a relatively flat course in a chilly easterly wind.

Samantha reported, "The weather was lovely and sunny with a cold breeze so near perfect racing conditions and the marshals were fantastic, and I would recommend for anyone after a PB, as I did." Mike Border achieved a great result, a new PB by 2.5 minutes. Saturday: James Saunders 33rd in 1:28:02, Matthew Steele 71st in 1:34:00, Rachel Steele 118th in 1:41:18, Ben Tampkins 135th in 1:43:17, Andrew Morton 214th in 1:55:06, Callum Price 250th in 1:58:42 and Neil Tampkins 296th in 2:06:48. On the Sunday, Michael Border came finished 113th in 1:45:29, Tim Synge 205th in 1:56:26, Samantha Galvin 282nd in 2:08:31, Chris March 326th in 2:19:16 and Darren Petch 349th in 2:29:16. It wasn’t just English shores occupying the Trotters recently either as Roger Moss reported from the Hong Kong marathon.

“It was a different feel with local runners in the majority. The bridges had steep long sweeping roads up to them and the tunnels were long and again quite steep both down and up. The majority of the run was on open ‘motorway type’ roads of 3/4 lanes. The big benefit was a cold early 06:50 start on the coldest day in Hong Kong for 10 years. In the final 10k, the roads were full as half marathon runners joined us and the sun came out. I would say the half was run by at least twice as many as the 26.2ers. “I had cramp in both legs and had to stop and then walk after about 30k, but I got it done in 4 hours and 14 minutes, which was better than the 4:39 in Roma, Italy. I was looking forward to trying to get a sub 4.00 but that will have to wait until the next on. A great experience and I have really enjoyed it here.” Finally, on a chilly Saturday morning, Mark (Wurzel), Ruth, and Del took on the Devon Winter Challenge, a scenic route on an old disused train line.

They were met by quite a tough course as you would think a railway line is flat, but not the case, with 1,309 ft of elevation.

Mark took on the challenge and did two laps in a time of 01:05:57, finishing 5th out of 12. Del and Ruth took on the 8-lap marathon challenge, Del in a time of 04:28:42, coming 8th and Ruth in a time of 05:06:57, coming 13th.

Pictured are the Exeter half marathon finishers post-race with father and son duo Neil & Ben Tampkins at the heart of the group.