AS is often the case, Teignbridge Trotters were well-represented at the Dawlish Coasters “O My Obelisk” event, a race which took place on Sunday, January 12 and is the latest round of the club championship.

The multi-terrain nine or 13-mile route up to the Obelisk at Mamhead from Dawlish Leisure Centre was a bit of a climb but the scenery was worth it.

Reasonable weather was the reward for those taking part, with the course muddy in places but not bad through paths, fields, bridle paths, some road, forest tracks. A medal and chocolate bar were the rewards at the finish, with a decent view of the 200m downhill finish.

The sensible ones in the field opted for the 9-miler, with Mel Sheehan doing well and taking 3rd place female in 1:23:43, followed by Gavin Parrot 24th in 1:25:23, John Pullen 33rd in 1:32:13, and Pete Aston 53rd in 1:42:02, from 86 finishers.

In the harder, meaner, greater ascent & descent, the 13-miler had a stronger calibre of runner with tenacity and mental resilience. Comments included: brutal, awful, long, filthy, never again, and to finish on a positive… Lovely views!

Hazards included brambles, gorse, soft ground, off-camber, tree roots, stiles, and the low sunlight.

A dog took out Roger Hayes who overcame the melee to record a decent finish. From the off, the leading packing streaked away across the playing field like fleet-footed spring lambs. A short time later they were back with Donald Brooks continuing his fine form with a wonderful 3rd place away from his preferred terrain, behind Ceri Rees and Tom Merson, in a stunning 1:25:17 - even allowing for some kissing gates along the way, taking 1st vet 40.

The following Trotters included; 7th Roger Easterbrook 2nd MV50 in 1:33:20, 15th Ewan Walton in 1:40:21, 22nd Roger Hayes in 1:46:14, 25th Steve Weeks in 1:48:18, 3rd female matching Brooks for the podium was 29th Chloe Weeks in 1:50:32, 30th Duncan Knight in 1:50:44, 33rd Liz Nuttal continuing last weeks’ First Chance prize haul with 1st FV40 in 1:51:44.

Continuing on, there was 38th Jason Trevenen in 1:54:42, 51st Tim Hassell in 1:59:54, 54th Darin Dodd in 2:01:22, 66th Andrew Rattlidge in 2:05:07, 70th Neil Rutley in 2:07:02, 73rd Kate Williamson in 2:08:06, 77th Nigel Barnett in 2:10:11, 84th Alex Lyons in 2:13:36, 92nd Kim Knight 3rd FV50 in 2:15:56 despite taking a fall at Haldon, 103rd Corinne Bright in 2:19:13, 118th Derek Skinner in 2:26:33, 119th Ruth Johnson in 2:31:17, 151st Cheryl Dunn in 2:51:58, and 153rd Sarah Blanchard 2:54:19, from 155 finishers.

Meanwhile, before Christmas, Derek Skinner completed the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon.

Runners follow an out-and-back route from South Parade Pier to the end of the Hayling Billy Line. The course included many impressive views across Langstone Harbour and although flat it’s a tough race, sometimes running on pebble, beach and mud.

The expected wind blast didn’t arrive although it was windy in parts and cold but thankfully had free beer at the end. Derek finished in a time of 4.13.32, number 94 ticked.