Just three days after Okehampton Running Club members turned out in force for the Ruby Run, there was a record entry of 31 ORCs in the Bude Lifeboat Run on Wednesday.
This has become a hugely popular race, particularly since becoming part of the Cornish Grand Prix Series, and attracts the top Cornish and other club runners. The course had been altered this year and, while the outward run along the cycle path and the return beside the Bude Canal were the same, the section through Whalesborough Farm took advantage of the new Segway path through woodlands and across the fields, extending the race to 6.4 miles. With junior races being held before the senior one, there is always a great atmosphere at this run, although the cold, grey weather didn’t give it the lovely relaxed summer evening feel it usually has.
First home for Okehampton was Sam Priday, running in the senior race for the first time, he scorched round in a superb 38.58 to come in 8th overall and second in his age category. First ORC lady to finish was Karen Vallance running a great race to come home in 49.10. With a big race in ten days Jane Jackson was somewhat cautious on the off road section, but took 3rd FV60 in a time of 57.40, while Jane Richardson won the FV65+ age category in 1.00.46.
Other ORC times:
Hayden Bond; 39.59, Graham Bryant; 43.29, Aedan Lethbridge; (junior) 48.43, John Binns; 48.54, Emma Dean; 49.41, Abby Williams; 50.02, Jo Bradford; 52.25, Jackie Dawes; 54.38, Lu Walsh; 57.42, Jacqueline Rice; 58.32, Geraldine Walter; 1.00.11, Jo Burrow; 1.00.12, Mel Priday; 1.01.23, Beki Simmons; 1.02.11, Katy Speak; 1.02.15, Hannah Woods; 1.05.04, Carole Cornwall; 1.05.09, Ruth Bushell; 1.05,59, Suzanne Gratton; 1.07.11, Anne-Marie Lethbridge; 1.07.20, Kathryn Volkelt- Igoe: 1.08.40, Claire Sprague; 1.14.10, Katie Sherjan; 1.14.11, Janet White; 1.15.07, Fiona Porter; 1.18.52, Sarah Bell; 1.19.30.
Okehampton’s most senior member, Jane Richardson had a great run at the Exeter Riverside Parkrun on Saturday. Having recently achieved a sub 28min time round the 5k course, she ran a very impressive 27.13, breaking her own 65+ club record.
On Sunday Okehampton runner Rachael Haydon took part in the Age UK Superhero 10k race in Exeter. Starting on Exeter Quay, the route takes in the Riverside Valley Park, Double Locks pathway, Northbrook Golf course and returns through woodland leading to Duckes Marsh and the finish on Exeter Quay. In keeping with the superheroes theme, Rachael was dressed as Batwoman for her run and was pleased with her time of 59.20.
