Trotter's Sally makes it 27 marathons in 2011 – so far

DESPITE the run up to Christmas, marathon runners from Teignbridge Trotters are not relenting and last weekend Sally Ingledew took part in her 26th and 27th marathons of the year at Andover on Saturday and Portsmouth on Sunday.

Amazingly Sally still has two more to do before the year ends.

OVER THE LINE. Liam Doyle crossing the line to take 30th place in the Den Norske Bank 6.2km charity race

Also at Portsmouth were Trotters' marathon regulars Roger Hayes, Roger Ha les and Phil Perry.

The Andover Marathon is run entirely on a 400m running track with the competitors completing 105 laps and 195 yards to complete the full 26.2-mile distance. There were a total of 34 finishers and Sally crossed the finish line 21st in 4.18.25.

The Portsmouth Marathon starts at South Parade Pier in Southsea and follows an out and back route around Langstone Harbour to Hayling Island.

On a cold morning Hales was the first of four Trotters to cross the line 104th out of 637 finishers in 3.29.17.

Just behind in 107th place in 3.29.48 was Hayes and Perry came home 348th in 4.09.44. Less than 24 hours after her exploits at the Andover Marathon, Ingledew finished 506th in a highly creditable 4.41.44.

The previous weekend, a number of Trotters turned out for the The Cockington Capers, a hilly pre-Christmas race that attracted a field of 171. Ben Epps was 33rd in 1.04.25, Jess Whitehouse 128th in 1.23.47, Tamsin Cook 129th in 1.23.51 and Rebecca Weare 150th in 1.28.29.

Adam Caunter, Ben Epps and Alan Boone also all had good runs in the Torrington Christmas Caper on Sunday.

TWO Haldon Trail Runners competed on Sunday.

Charlotte Weedon ran the 10-mile Torrington Christmas Caper which involves wading through an icy river and navigating fields and woods in North Devon.

Charlotte completed the course in a very fast time of 1.22.08.

Meanwhile, in Estonia, Liam Doyle ran the Den Norske Bank 6.2km charity race in a very nippy 25.54 taking 30th position overall.

SEVERAL runners from Torbay AC also turned out for the Torrington Christmas Caper.

Mike Davies finished the multi-terrain course in 1.27.58, which was 76th place out of 181 finishers, while Sally Davies was 146th after coming home in 1.46.42. Former Torbay AC runner Helen Dyke (now running for Poole Runners) was first lady in one hour 12 minutes.