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Bideford 10k

The ORCs romped home with 8 trophies today in the ever popular Bideford 10K run, which takes place from Bideford to Instow providing scenic views of the Taw and Torridge estuary as it heads back to Bideford along the Tarka Trail. This year was the biggest to date with almost 1200 runners participating, 22 of them from Okehampton Running Club.

Although the weather was hot and sunny and not one that many would consider prime weather for PBs, the club runners achieved some remarkable results regardless.

Geoff Hill finished in a platinum award time of 37:16, placing 16th Overall, 2nd MV40 and 4th in the Vets Club Championship Male Individual standings. Second ORC home was Hayden Bond finishing in 38:16. Jeremy Tandy finished in 38:20 and was 3rd MV45. Andrew Vernon ran a platinum award standard time of 38:53 winning 1st MV50. Stephen Sincock ran a time of 40:03 and won 1st MV55

Claudine Benstead was first ORC lady over the line, finishing 5th female overall, 1st FV55, in a time of 40:40 also setting a new age category club record. This time also saw her take 3rd in the Vets Club Championship Female Individual standings. Jo Page achieved her first diamond award at this distance in a time of 41:36, placing 3rd Senior Female and 3rd in the Senior Club Championship Female Individual standings and also setting a new age category club record. Sarah Marvin was next over the line in 43:57, winning 1st FV45. Paul Evison finished in 47:22 setting a new age category club record and achieving a PB. Jane Richardson finished in 01:02:38 winning 1st FV70.

Other ORCs getting PBs were Emma Dean in 47:24, Lucinda Walsh 51:18, Kate Wilson 51:40, Kerry Morashti 58:48, Catherine Walker 59:27 and Jo Drew 1:09:46.

Further finishing times were Tom Andrew 48:28, Jo Bradford 48:57, Karen King 49:44, Ed Dumpleton 50:24, Christine Jeffrey 01:01:08, Kathryn Volkelt-Igoe 1:02:22

In the team standings the ORCs proved successful with the Okehampton male team placing 3rd in the Club Male standings. The ladies team technically placed 1st the Club Female standings but the team was unfortunately split due to an error in the way the teams are recorded, so for now, two ORC female teams placed third and fifth. Further ORC team successes were 2nd place for the female vets team and 2nd place also for the male vets team, and 2nd place in the Vets Club Championship for both Female and Male Vets teams.

Phil’s adventures in France. He ran the 17km Perigord Trail Race
and had a great time despite feeling nervous about how he’d get on. Great finish photo!

It was race two of the Run Exe 5K Summer Series tonight. 165 runners turned up to do battle even though it was a cold and windy night down at Exwick. This regular race is a traffic free and pancake flat 5km run on footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick Playing Fields and the River Exe Flood Relief. Although this event is generally considered suitable for people chasing PB’s, tonight’s strong south-easterly wind made it hard work on the long back straight meaning it wasn’t a great night for smashing records.
First ORC home was Jo Bradford in a time of 23:31, placing third in her age category.
Margaret Jarvis finished in 25:06, also placing third in her age category and clocking up a platinum award time to boot! Both runners knocked a minute apiece off their times compared to their first 5K run of last season and are therefore happy that they have started this season better than last and are hoping to see continued improvements again as the season progresses.