IT was a quiet end to 2009 for the Teignbridge Trotters, with a hardy quartet attending the 25th Stoke Stampede on Boxing Day, writes Graham Penn.

Starting and finishing in the village of Stoke St Gregory, near Taunton, the 10k event attracted a record number of runners, no doubt keen to banish the cobwebs and run off the excesses of the previous day,

Mark Wotton joined the three lady regulars this year and led them home in fine style, finishing 86th in a field of 371 with an impressive time of 45:52. Amanda Milverton was next in 58:19 followed by Marion Witham (1:02:51) and Julie Crump (1:09:42).

A larger splash of royal blue was in evidence on Sunday, during the First Chance 10k at Exeter Quay, organised by South West Road Runners and sponsored by the Ironbridge Runner. The event was staged in freezing conditions, but this did little to deter the 464 competitors, lined up at the start line, on the banks of the River Exe and Exeter Canal.

The fast level course followed the frozen canal, past the Double Locks pub, before looping back at the Countess Wear Bridge, for a repeat circuit.

Conditions were slippery in places, with a small water feature to negotiate. Wavell Vigers was first Trotter over the mat in 41st position, with a time of 38:40, followed by Tom Burman 87th in 42:58. Mark Wotton was back in action as third Trotter, 104th overall in 44:02.

Remaining runners were: Graham Penn (48:21), Graeme Baker (49:41 and third MV65), Stephen Wallace (50:18), Steve Rawlinson (53:48), Siobhan Besford (56:10 and second FU20), Kevin Besford (57:22), Amanda Milverton (57:40), Rachel Besford (59:05 and third FU20), Stephanie Gillard (59:26), Marion Witham (1:01:28), Cathy Evans (1:02:40) and Julie Crump (1:06:23). Both Gillard and Evans are recent recruits to the club.

Meanwhile, a further trio were sampling the delights of Plymouth Round Table's January Jaunt, in similar icy conditions. The out and back 10k event begins at the Coypool Park and Ride in Plympton and involves a scenic undulating tour of Saltram Park. Eyvol Aston. Tracy Elphick and Nathan Elphick flew the flag for the club, but unfortunately the results remain unpublished.MORE SPORT IN OUR ONLINE EDITION