With the weather suddenly deciding it really was summer after all, runners in this week’s races found the running conditions pretty hot. On Wednesday the Bude Lifeboat Run was held on a beautiful sunny evening and sixteen ORCs took part in what has become a hugely popular event. The challenging, but not too tough course, the fantastic scenery and the lovely family atmosphere means people come back year after year to take part in this race which is preceded by a junior race that is equally popular. This year a slight change in the six mile course saw runners set off from the rugby club along the path beside the canal as usual, but there was one new hill to negotiate before the long pull uphill to the top of Whalesborough Farm where the stunning view of the coast and Widemouth Bay takes runners by surprise. From there it is all downhill back to the farm and then a fast flat two miles beside the canal all the way to the finish. Geoff Hill led them out off the rugby pitch and held his lead for some of the way but, with a fast Ruby Run three days earlier still in his legs, he eventually finished 10th in a great time of 37.28. Mervyn Rice was the next ORC home, having a much better run than last year when he was recovering from injury and came home in 44.35, to be 3rd MV60. First ORC lady home, having also done the Ruby Run, was Jo Turner, finishing in 47.32.
Other ORC times; John Binns; 46.41, Karen Vallance; 49.20, Mike Westland; 49.35, Jackie Dawes; 50.54, Tracey Mills; 54.23, Phil Turner; 58.11, Deborah Cunningham; 58.13, Ruth Bushell; 58.34, Jane Richardson; 1.01.35, Jessica Corcoran; 1.05.01, Janet White; 1.05.35, Kerry Morashti; 1.05.38, Claire Sprague; 1.08.48.
The Burrator Horseshoe was held on Saturday in even hotter conditions. As part of the Meavy Oak Fair, this traditional fell race doesn’t start until 3.00pm by which time temperatures had soared on a scorching day with only the faintest breeze. The course takes runners out from Meavy in a loop that takes in Burrator Reservoir, Sheepstor, Gutter Tor, Ringmoor Down and returns to the village via Meavy River Ford. Two ORCs, Rob Hicks and Paul Crease, took part and certainly did the club proud by finishing in second and third places. Rob finished in 46.26, just nine seconds ahead of Paul in 46.35, who was back running on his preferred ground of Dartmoor, after a brief diversion to road running for the Ruby Run Half Marathon the previous week where he had taken second place.
Many thanks to Jane for the run report.
