RACE number two of the 16 that make up this year's Teignbridge Trotters Club Championship took place on Sunday, February 15.

The Dalwood Three Hills is a tough multi terrain 10-mile race. It's a race that packs a real punch and this year, with all the rain we've had, made for difficult underfoot conditions.

Although the race claims to have three hills, there are in fact more than that, as many of the Trotter first timers found out!

The start is on the historic bridge in the village centre of Dalwood, near Axminster. As the runners disappeared into the misty, damp and breathless conditions they were soon faced with waterlogged fields, rutted tracks and plenty of stodgy mud.

Roger Easterbrook led the Trotters home, finishing in fourth place in a time of 1:18:34.

Ryan Astbury, who continues to impress, was next Trotter home in 1:28:41. Lucy Evans who won last year's Most Improved Female, continued with her rich vein of form as she crossed the line as first lady Trotter in 1:49:46.

Kim Knight was the only Trotter to come away with a prize, winning first FV55 in a time of 1:54:05.

Other Trotter finishing times were: Ewan Walton (1:28:59), Duncan Knight (1:31:39), Paul Vowden (1:35:48), Gavin Parrott (1:41:52), Jo Randall (1:54:44), Kathryn Steemson (1:55:44), Derek Skinner (1:57:42), Jayden Taylor (1:58:53), Allen Taylor ( 1:59:06), Callum Price (2:01:35), Corinne Bright (2:02:57), Andrew Morton (2:05:46), Pat Atkins (2:08:55), Sue Tremlett (2:15:00).Amy Davey (2:20:27) and Karen Peters (2:20:29). There were 125 finishers.

The re-arranged First Chance 10K organised by SWRR always attracts a high-class field and this year was no exception.

Originally the race had 83 Trotters signed up to take part. However, after the cancellation of the race last month due to icy conditions, many of them jumped ship to take part at Dalwood. Nevertheless, there were still 46 Trotter finishers.

The 10K course starts and finishes on Exeter Quay and is held on narrow paths with numerous tight turns. Having had a lovely sunny day the day before, possibly the best day of the year so far, the weather was back to normal with heavy rain on race day.

Alex Sparks led the Trotters home in a superb time of 33:20 giving him seventh place overall. This was 42 seconds quicker than his time last year. The ever-improving George Tranckle was the next Trotter to finish, crossing the line in 35:23.

Ben Akyol, 35:41 and Alex Duff 36:09, were the next two Trotters to finish and made up the first Trotter men's team.

Chloe Olford ran a very strong race and was the first lady Trotter to finish in a time of 40:16. That time was faster than the time she ran last year at the Easter Bunny 10K to win the fastest 10K time of the year.

Second Trotter lady home was Chloe Weeks in 41:49. Two relatively new ladies to join the Trotters made up the first Trotters ladies team, with Victoria France finishing in 42:57, and Hannah Barley in 44:40. There were 570 finishers.

Lucy Payne travelled to Hampshire to take part in the Bramley 20-mile road race, organised by Reading Roadrunners. It was a fast two-lap course held on gently undulating country lanes.

The weather was cold with persistent rain. Lucy finished in a time of 3:39:15.