Tavistock Town Relays
Okehampton Running Club submitted a total of 14 teams into the Tavistock Town Relays this year, including 10 senior teams and 4 junior teams competing across the four x 1.1 mile course along the riverside path.
The club’s highlights for the evening include their massive club turnout making ORC one of the largest club representations at the event. The junior representation highlighted the successful youth development programme within the club. Most importantly for ORC, the feedback was largely centred around the friendly, supportive atmosphere of the evening.
Particularly of note was the Vet Club Men 60 team comprised of Neil Agnew, Danny Heggs, Rob Richards and Ian Ripper who won their category.
The event raises significant funds for local good causes, working in partnership with the Tavistock Lions and usually sells out due to popularity.
Selworthy Beacon Fell Race
Ian Ripper, Emma Brock, Luke Stannus and Joe Lane took part in this new event in the calendar for the summer fell series.
The route is approximately four miles with roughly 1000 feet of ascent and descent. Beginning at Bossington National Trust car park, it is an open-navigated course requiring runners to ascent to the trig point at Selworthy Beacon and pass compulsory checkpoints at the bottom of Hurlstone Combe.
Ian says the course was “pretty much up up up then down back to the finish.” Emma achieved first lady position (39.49), Luke Stannus (31.28) third overall, Joe Lane was the second ORC in (36.50) with Ian rounding the group up nicely (44.19).
Ian added that it was a “great race, brutal ascent and stunning views coming down if you had the courage to look up.”
Purple Gecko’s Harlyn Half Marathon
Four ORC’s ventured to Harlyn to take part in Purple Gecko’s half marathon. The route offered stunning scenery following the coast path throughout and Matt Grint said it was nice to run the section of coast between Harlyn (the start/turnaround point for the Fairytale of Newquay which all had completed previously) and Padstow.
Despite a cloudy start, the sun came out making it a warm run – the perfect excuse for a swim and refreshments afterwards!
There were some good results from the team today, despite some people going the wrong way.
Despite not sporting his lucky pizza shorts, Matt enjoyed a strong run and was first ORC home 2:12 with Eddie Bragg hot on his heels in 2 hours and 18. Claire Thompson was up next in 2 hours and 36 with Lou Duffield (who was thoroughly enjoying the beautiful scenery and expressed her appreciation for the incredible volunteers) crossed the line in 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Claire said “as some parts of the coastal path narrowed, we naturally formed a convey of runners as far as the eye could see up the coast. I found this also kept the speed at a sensible and steady pace for me without the need to feel like I should be pushing. Hence there was a lot of chatting and enjoying the views. An enjoyable morning and one to do if you haven’t!”
