TEIGNBRIDGE Trotters competed across the Southwest at the weekend, including Lundy Island, Race to the Stones and at the Otter Rail and River Run.

On Saturday 13, the infamous Race to the Stones took place from Lewknor in Oxfordshire to Avebury. The trail ultra marathon follows Britain's oldest path the Ridgeway, on an ultramarathon through the stunning Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs.

The first trotter home after 100km was Helen Anthony in an impressive 11:31:42, 13th lady & third in her age category, followed by Andy Gillson 12:17:16, and Mandy Wheeler & Rachel Steele finishing together in 13:33:52. Helen said it was “A tough but beautiful trail run following the ridgeway with the last 20 miles particularly tough, but first 100km race for me, Mandy & Rachel.”

Meanwhile, the Otter River & Rail 2024 is a scenic off-road 10K race that takes place in Sidmouth. The route starts and finishes on the village playing field in Tipton St John, following public footpaths and rights of way. Participants get to enjoy the delights of the Otter Valley and experience the great atmosphere (and puddles) along the way! The undulating route heads downstream alongside the River Otter, through woods, old railway lines, and fields.

Finishers from the Trotters included Gavin Parrott 36th 49:00, Derek Skinner 43rd 49:59, Rod Payne 120th 61:04, Lucy Payne 151st 65:35, Susanna Westgate 163rd 67:35, Mark Wotton 183rd 70:01 and Ed Hounsell 184th 70:13.

Skinner said, “Great challenging local 10k for everyone. You had to get your legs pumping hard towards the last 3k. Quite muddy in places with a slight bit of rain falling towards the end of the race. And the finishing beer went down nicely.” The Payne’s confirmed they highly rate the race, the first 3k are congested and love the scenery.

Darin Dodd fancied the Lundy Island Half Marathon Race as something just a bit different. An early start on the dock in Ilfracombe and then a 2-hour boat trip to Lundy. A beautiful, unspoiled island. The course consisted of 2 different loops as the island is only 3 miles long!

All smiles at the Lundy Island Half-Marathon.
(Contributed)

There was challenging terrain at times but fortunately, it was dry underfoot. Most runners said they found it far harder than they expected with only four finishing in under two hours hours. Darin was 74th out of 225 and delighted with a top 3rd finish.

Elsewhere, Roger Easterbrook took part in the Ugborough Fair 5K, coming third in the undulating road event.

Expectations are building with the forthcoming Haytor Heller (July 20) and Totnes 10K (August 4) events, with fabulous scenery, prizes and medals galore, homemade cakes, BBQ, and places are still available online. Teignbridge Trotters have more details available online for these and other races.