Five of Torbay AAC’s Cross Country Team went to the English National Cross Country Championships held at Nottingham’s picturesque Wollaton Park. The organisers did a fantastic job to get the event on following heavy rain and damaging gales brought by storms Ciara and Dennis. Fallen trees were put to good use as hurdles creating additional obstacles for athletes to negotiate. The levels of mud did not disappoint thousands of club runners from all over the country which at times was waist deep. Chloe Weeks joined Dad Steve in running her first Nationals and it was a first outing at the Nationals for Andy Philippou. Results on the day were:Senior Men 12km: 970 Steve Weeks 01:01:55, 1132 Anthony Raine 1:04:49, 1404 Martyn Breslan 01:10:37, 1674 Andy Philippou 01:25:41.U17 Women 5km: 215 Chloe Weeks 29:09.

Six Torbay AAC athletes joined 318 others who braved Sunday’s Hameldown Hammer at a wet and windy Widdecombe in the Moor. Runners had a choice of a Half Marathon or a 7 mile route. Both races start with a 2.5 mile climb which was battered with very strong winds and rain, making it tough going. It was typical Dartmoor with wet and boggy conditions underfoot and steep hills which made both runs very hard going. Results on the day were:

7 miler: 58 Ian Sharrock 01:39:35, 78 Gemma Radcliffe 01:51:10

Half Marathon: 141 Brian Lewis 02:56:53, 166 Mark Luscombe 03:03:14, 186 Debbie Drake 03:17:13, 187 Tas Felstead 03:18:54.

On Saturday Torbay AAC’s Michelle McCallum ran the Looe 10 Miler and it certainly lived up to the name “Hillish and Hellish”. The Pioneers did a great job of organising and marshalling the event where all competitors were made to feel welcome and were cheered on throughout. It was a great race for Michelle who smashed her sub 2 hour goal in a superb time of 1hr 57mins.

Torbay AAC’s Betsy Bebbington ran the Carsington Water Half Marathon in the Peak District. This half marathon takes place around the undulating, traffic-free trails surrounding Carsington Water Reservoir. The route offers stunning views of the Lake and surrounding Peak District countryside. Despite the blustery challenging course Betsy was 1st FV55 in 01:39:44.

Peter Monaghan put in a great performance at Sunday’s Exeter City 10k where he came 2nd in 36:00 despite very windy conditions.