This weekend four members of Bovey Valley Runners (Maurice Raymont, Debbie Chew, Erica Ross and Jill Bishop) joined 150 other runners and set off on a challenge to “Beat the Train”.
A 6.8-mile trail race organised by Jolly Running along riverside paths and woodland through the glorious Dartington Estate from Totnes Heritage Station to Staverton Station and back before the train completes Its round journey out to, and back from, Staverton.
The race starts with a blow of the train whistle before runners are set off on their way. To beat the train, they must make it through the finish line before the train has stopped and blown its whistle as it arrives back in Totnes, a race with a difference.
Although the weather was dry, sunny and it is a mainly flat course, there were one or two spots that required careful footing to prevent slipping on mud and several tree roots to work around.
72 of the 154 Runners beat the trains time of 1:08:50
Bovey Valley Runners times, Maurice 1:01:19, Debbie 1:10:41 Erica 1:15:52 and Jill 1:28:52
Sharon Scanlan completed the Exeter First Chance 10k Race in a new personal best time of 1:09:37.
Jill Bishop and Kathryn Carroll completed the Powderham Castle 10 mile run with Kathryn finishing in 2:07:18 and Jill in 2:07:55.
John Mellitt and Sally Mansfield travelled to the capital to compete in the London Landmarks Half Marathon – this was a very well supported event encompassing many of the famous sights.
Sally, in her first ever half marathon, finished in 2:59:40 whilst John achieved a great new personal best in 2:33:41.
Meanwhile many of the club were competing in the BVR Virtual Half Marathon- this saw a great set of results with many runners completing this distance for the first time.
And congratulations to Claire Watts who celebrated her 40th birthday with a 40-mile run – thanks also to Anna Gocher for accompanying her on the route.
