Toughest challenge for Debbie in Nepal

ATHLETICS

TORBAY Athletic Club's Debbie Drake completed the Manaslu nine-day stage race, set deep in the Himalay, and said it was the hardest challenge that she had ever taken on.

The runs each day were hard with ascents of up 13,000ft. The tracks were very technical often very narrow on the edge of cliffs. Stages three and onwards were at high altitude where breathing became very laboured.

Going up to Manaslu base camp was difficult with a steep ascent and over 4,000m high. lots of the group suffered from altitude sickness and horses were needed to bring them back down.

Debbie said: “The air was thin only 11 per cent oxygen compared to 21 per cent at sea level.

“Even sleeping at height made you puff. The whole experience has been humbling seeing such poverty that these people live in and they are still happy and have deep souls.

“It was a privilege to run with such elite athletes and great bunch of people from all over the world.”

Debbie finished all nine stages within the cut off times.

The Bicton Blister & Blister Lite was organised by the Exmouth Harriers and Teignbridge Trotters members were on the starting lines of both races.

The race distances were 10 miles and 4.5 miles and the start and finish lines were within the grounds of Bicton College in East Budleigh.

The multi-terrain races took

Debbie Drake on Manaslu in Nepal the runners across open fields, along rough forest trails, through a couple of stream crossings, and several inclines.

Two Trotters represented the club in the Lite race – Zilpath Walton and Andy Distin. Andy finished in 59th place in a time of 54mins 07secs Zilpath finished close behind in 61st 54.14.

Trotters’ Roger Easterbrook was sixth in the Blister in a time of 1:04.58.

Four of the 21 representatives collected age category prizes. Congratulations go to Roger Easterbrook, Gary Smart, Lucy Payne and Graeme Baker.

Graydon Widdicombe travelled to Spain to take part in the San Sebastian Marathon.

Graydon didn’t manage a personal best but he was pleased with his time of 3hrs 20mins 35secs – pacing it pretty evenly throughout the event.

There was a 1-2-3 for Torbay Tri Club at the Torbay Parkrun as Ben Gerrish, Shaun McKernan and Naomi Flanagan raced their way around the Clennon Valley velopark and fields.

For Ben it was a personal best as he joined the sub-18 club, while Julyan Bayes also went under 21 minutes for the first time.

Finsihers: Ben Gerrish 17.52, Shaun McKernan 18.43, Naomi Flanagan 19.27, Julyan Bayes 20.50, Neil Downer 21.01, Amanda Francis 25.47, Jo Coish 29.41

Charlie and Rob Harris completed Teignmouth Parkrun in 27.53 and 56.36 respectively.

Two Dawlish Coasters made the short trip to Bicton College for the Bicton Blister. Simon Bunday was the first Coaster home in a time of 1hr 35min and Maria Trylska was next 2:15.

South Devon Athletic Club held their AGM on Thursday where a cheque for £600 was presented to Devon Air Ambulance which was the Chairman’s charity for the year.

The previous week, SDAC juniors Hannah and Lauren Carr competed in the South Devon Schools Cross Country Championships. Hannah was fifth and Lauren tenth and both are through to the Devon Cross Country finals.