City Runs 5k
On Tuesday evening, Sophie Casavieille-Lacaze, Paul Evison and Andrew Vernon ran the City runs 5k.
This was the third event of the six-race series. It is a great traffic-free, flat 5km road race on footpaths
and cycle paths around Exwick playing fields. Sophie said she had a great run (despite stopping to tie
her double knotted laces) finishing in 20.33, second in her category.
Dartmoor Discovery
On Saturday, eight ORCs took on the Dartmoor Discovery (or Dartmoor Drenching as perhaps it should have been called this year!), the UKs longest single-lap road ultra marathon. Expertly organised by Teignbridge Trotters, the route is fully marshalled with ten aid stations enroute. With rain throughout and a strong headwind for the final 10km, the conditions made the route more challenging than expected. Despite this, all ORC runners achieved fantastic results; Chris Turner (4:07:31, 5th overall), Robert Kelly (4:27:50 2nd MV45), Paul Carter (5:09:53), Shaun Fryett (5:12:12), Rachel Russell (5:23:05, 1st FV60), Robert Russell (5:23:05), Matt Grint (6:23:07) and Lucy Gooding (6:42:51). Okehampton men took 1st place in the team standings.
Epic Endurance Portland
On Saturday, Pearl completed the Epic Endurance Portland- The Loop, in the most horrendous weather conditions with gusts up to 50mph and a yellow weather warning.
The route follows the SWCP to loop around Portland to the Bill and back with 3,000 ft ascent. Pearl said she was just glad to make it back alive!! Running into the wind was like running backwards! Pearl finished in 3h20.
Great Langdale 21
On Saturday, Gill Spinney and her son, Aiden Spinney were up in the Lake District, running in the Great Langdale21 trail race. It’s a technical 21km route in and around Great and Little Langdale, based out of the Lanty Slees Stickle Barn, part of the Scafell Skyrunning Weekend with around 850m of ascent. At 16, it was the first mountain race Aiden has been old enough to run in, and he flew round, finishing 6th overall in a time of 2hrs 11mins, just a few minutes out of the placings. Gill was placed first VF50 in a time of 3hrs 7mins.
Crewkerne 10k
On Sunday, Pearl was at it again, running in the Crewkerne 10k. This race is all on lanes through the beautiful South Somerset villages of Merriott and Hinton St George. Pearl said she loved this race despite the 650ft very hilly route. There is no medal for this event, just a hat. Pearl finished in 1:05, which she was very happy with after competing the day before!
BigSea Trail Marathon
On Sunday, Jo Page took on the BigSea Trail Marathon, finishing as 1st female and 5th overall in 4:40:34 (unofficial time). Starting and finishing on the beautiful sands of Knoll Beach, Studland, the route takes in some of Dorset’s most iconic coastal scenery, including Studland, Purbeck Ridge, Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge Bay, Chapman’s Pool, St Aldhelm’s Head and Durlston Castle. Jo said her highlight was seeing the steam train, as she ran into Corfe Castle.
The Oke Croak
On Sunday, ORC was out in force again at the Oke Croak, part of the summer fell series.
The Oke Croak takes runners on a tour of the northern moor. The 10+ miles and 2,000ft+ is a challenger to any runner. This route takes you from Okehampton to Oke Tor and on to Yes Tor before dropping back to Okehampton.
There were superb performances all round, especially for ORC juniors, notably Rory Grubb, Alastair Taylor and Eleanor Taylor, who won their respective categories. ORC results: Luke Stannus (1:21:43, 2nd overall), Ian Duffield (1:32:40), Stewart Taylor (1:32:40), Joseph Lane (1:33:41), Tom Poland (1:33:48), Rob Gooding (1:34:54), Paul Trace (1:43:14), Emma Brock (1:49:32, 2nd female), Ian Ripper (1:50:36), Bernard Stricker (1:51:33), Jonathan Stephens (1:51:35), Deane Andrews (1:54:09) and Claire Watkins (1:58:23).
