The most challenging event in the south west racing calendar faced ten Teignbridge Trotters on Saturday, as they arrived at Princetown for the annual Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon, writes Graham Penn.The 32-mile circular route, via Dartmeet, Ashburton, Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Postbridge, was started by Phil Hampton in 1998 as a replacement for the famous Two Bridges 36-mile road race and attracts entries from around the country.The prospect of heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of the hardy band of athletes as they set off at 9.30.However, after several hours of battling a torrential downpour, two Trotters were unfortunately forced to withdraw from the race.Dave Tomlin, despite suffering with cramp from about the 20-mile stage, led the Royal Blues home in a time of 4:12:29 and ninth overall, in a field of 118 finishers.Second Trotter to reach the warm welcome in the Plume of Feathers Inn was Keith Jellyman, 13th in a time of 4:24:33, with Ewan Walton close behind, 16th across the line in 4:35:08. The remaining runners were: Ian Langler 27th (4:45:40), Stuart Moulson 40th (4:54:30), Roger Hales 47th (4:59:24), John Tweedie 50th (5:01:51) and Andy Ludlam 111th (6:15:34). A superb effort by all concerned and rewarded with the prize of first male team.On the previous Tuesday evening, two Trotters attended the tenth Michelmores Charity run in Exeter. Starting on Cathedral Green, the fast 5k course attracts runners of all abilities and this year was run in aid of Hospiscare. First Trotter across the line at the former Imperial Hotel was Graham Penn, 212th out of 1,027 finishers in a time of 24:08, followed by Stella Imong, 375th in 26:30.On Thursday evening, Dawlish Coasters' Running Club hosted the Coastal Dash four-mile race, which starts and finishes at Dawlish Warren.A welcome breeze kept conditions manageable for the 18 Trotters on the multi-terrain course. A loop of the beach across soft sand and over nine groynes thinned out the pack, leaving Garry Smart firmly in charge for the run along the sea wall to Dawlish and back. He crossed the line fifth overall in a field of 137 finishers with a time of 23:19.Second Trotter home was Stewart Dunn, in a time of 26:01, slightly ahead of Gary Watson in 26:37. Other runners were: John Caunter (26:40), Jim Donovan (27:02), Roger Hales (27:34), Mark Wotton (27:35), Clare Youngman (27:49), Gary Caunter (28:24), Syd Willocks (29:17), Graham Penn (29:33), Sharon Bowman (29:52), Graeme Baker (30:42), Stephen Wallace (30:57), Tina Caunter (31:56), Steve Rawlinson (32:14), Eleanor Taylor (33:45) and Amanda Milverton (37:22). Mark Wotton blazed a lone trail for the Royal Blues on Sunday at the inaugural Run in the Wild at Cricket St Thomas, Somerset.Organised by Chard Road Runners, the multi terrain 10k race is run in support of the children's charity bibic. Wotton posted a time of 53:32 for what was a challenging event, crossing the line 79th out of 253 finishers.
