TEIGNBRIDGE Trotters turned up in force for the South Devon Athletic Club Velopark team relays in Paignton, with each team of four running 12000m legs, 3k per person.

The flat and fast occasion was well supported with multiple clubs competing in various age categories across 70 teams. The mass start for all teams leads to plenty of excitement before the runners past teammates multiple times during their out and back lap.

Pacing is essential given the risks of over excitement and going off too fast before exhaustion mid lap and the need for a walk to get to the finish.

With a mix of experience, youth, fun and serious runners the Trotters came first in a few categories.

Senior male, with Alex Sparkes, Oli Reynolds, Tim Pratt and Donald Brooks, in a rapid 39:09. Male vet 40, with Ben Akyol, Jon Pressling Ben Elphick and Kris Ward, in 41:37. Senior female, with Chloe Olford, Helen Anthony, Liz Nuttall and Chloe Weeks, in 45:17. Male vet 60, with James Saunders, Derek Skinner and Neil Rutley, in 49:22. Female Vet 50, with Mel Brooks, Lucy Evans, Tracy Elphick and Kathryn Steemson in 50:40.

The fastest runner of the event was the club's rapid Alex Sparks, in a swift 9:06.

Carl Bennett, fresh from the relays, took part in the Summer Canal Canter 10K at Tiverton, finishing seventh and first in his age category. Roger Easterbrook meanwhile came eighth (and second male vet) in the Cornwood 10k and third in Kingsbridge 10k.

In Totnes, it was a first for the Taylor family. Father Allen ran with sons Josh and Jayden Taylor, finishing in 59:19, 1:10:06 and 1:20:13 respectively.

The Teignbridge Trotters staged their annual Totnes 10K and 1-mile Fun Run on Sunday, August 3, managed by Race Directors Rod and Lucy Payne.

James Baker won the event for the seventh time out of a 552-strong sell-out field. He won £25 for setting a new age graded record and was joined in the top five by Ceri Rees (39:30), Ronnie Haynes (39:48, Erme Valley Harriers), Daniel Evans (40:00, Dorking & Mole Valley AC) and Oliver Oldfield (42:20, Tamar Trotters).

First lady across the line was Rebecca Ezra-Turk, Tamar Trotters, in a new record of 42:59, winning £125. She was followed by Tara Ferguson in second, 44:20, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, (a former winner of the fun run), then third-placed Naomi Flanaghan, 45:33 Torbay Tri Club, plus Lauren Knox, 46:36 Storm Plymouth and Amy Jones, 47:28 South West Road Runners.

Age graded winners plus second and third across multiple categories veteran categories won bottles of wine presented by chosen charity Totnes Caring, who are set to receive another generous donation from the club. These included in first place, James Baker MV45, Ceri Rees MV50, Darren Francis MV55, Graham Bale MV60, Hal Pawson MV65, Graham Newton MV70.

Ladies age graded 1st; Franki Mathews FV40, Amy Jones FV45, Lynne Whitfield FV50, Helen Chappell FV55, Anthea Board FV60, Jenny Reay FV65, Lesley Nesbit FV70.

Last but not least, the 1-mile fun run had a brilliant 156 finishers, won by Felix Davies in 05:30 ahead of Archie Seager. First girl was Georgina White 7th 6:20 with Aurelia Matthews, eighth close behind 6:22.