A busy weekend on the race calendar for Okehampton Running Club with runners challenging distances ranging from 3 to 33miles.
Exmouth Park Run
Rob Kelly took on Exmouth Park Run to smash the club Vet40 record in a time of 16.50. Windy weather on the day perhaps assisting him as well as hindering him.
Tavy 13
Andy Vernon ran the Tavy 13 which as the name suggest is a 13 mile run from and back to Tavistock. The route is uphill for the first 8 miles giving runners a delightful 5 miles down to the finish. Andy finished in a time of 1.30.38 being the first Vet50.
Granite Way 10 & 20
A big event each year is the Granite Way 10 and 20 mile race. An out and back along the Granite Way from the Youth Hostel. This year the 10 miler was held on the Saturday and 20 miler was on the Sunday. The 20 mile distance is a popular race for those preparing for marathons however with London Marathon taking place in October this year I am not aware of any ORCs taking
part this year.
In the 10 miler Geoffrey Hill (pictured) came 4th place in 1.02.23 achieving a PB followed by Hayden Bond not far behind in 1.03 First ORC lady home was Claudine Benstead in an incredible time of 1.12.48. She was third lady overall and was 1st in her age category.
For some runners this distance is relatively new to them have not long since completed the Couch to 5K programme so well done Vicky Evison who ran 1.47.16 and Vicky Bond ran 1.37.41. Paul Evison, recovering from illness ran 1.19 to take 1st Vet60. Claire Watkins 1.21 and Harriet Munday 1.18 also had a good race despite the very windy and cold weather. The event is organised by Exeter City Community Trust and is supported by ORC marshals. As the number of ORC participants demonstrates this is a very popular and local event.
Run for Rosie
Chagford charity event Run For Rosie is 10.5 miles of mixed terrain raising money for the Roy Castle Lung Foundation. Two members, Karen Vallance and Alison Holliday were up for the challenge and had fun in the process.
Whistland Pound 6 Hour Challenge
Not so much fun was had by Garry Letheren who had entered the Whistland Pound 6hr Race Challenge which had been postponed due to Storm Eunice putting the race 2 weeks before he is entered in a marathon. Principle of the challenge was to run as many laps as possible in 6 hrs with time allowed to complete the last lap if started before the 6 hr deadline. Garry ran for 6hrs and 19 minutes and completed 32.88 Miles to come 12th place overall and 9th male.
Limossol Marathon
Out in Cyprus Jo Page competed in Limossol Marathon achieving 3:30:04. It was a cold windy morning but the sun shone the whole way round. 6 degrees but felt like 2 in the wind. Limassol Marathon is a relatively flat course which follows the Mediterranean coastline. From the centre of the city, along the beachfront, to the ruins of the ancient Royal city of Amathus, and back to the city. 42.195 kilometres. 26.2188 miles.
