Run Exe 5km Summer Series
It was a speedy Tuesday night for the 5th round of the Run Exe 5km summer series. A strong breeze helped the runners along and the group produced some great results.
Chris Turner arrived home first in 17.09, Rob Kelly was hot on his heels in 17.32, Andrew Vernon was the 2nd in his age category (M55) in 20.03. Paul Evison was 2nd also in his age category of M70 with an impressive 23.19 and Jackie rounded the group off nicely as the first female in the F55 category with a time of 25.57.
Black Dawg Backyard Ultra
Rob Gooding hosted a “backyard ultra” from a small farm in Black Dog over the course of the weekend. Runners took on a 6km trail loop on the hour, every hour until they couldn’t run anymore! The time that runners have leftover is their recovery time. If runners are not on the start line at the hour, they’re out.
The ultra only finished when one remaining runner was left in the event.
Bernard Stricker managed 6 laps, Rachel and Rob Russell managed 8. Rob Kelly managed 10 and completed the overall fastest lap, Sam Pillivant managed 11 laps, Chris Turner 12 laps and Charlie Temperley a staggering 17 laps (102km!) and was joint third to finish.
The feedback was really positive and there will undoubtedly be more ORCs turning up to take part next year.
OuterEdge Dartmoor Crossing 55km Ultra
The Crossing is a 33.5 mile trail event from Belstone to Ivybridge. Runners were lucky to enjoy good weather this year after two years of rain and mist for the event.
Passing through Postbridge and Bellever, the event is picturesque and “far from easy.” Four ORCs took part in the event with Claire Watkins the first back in 5 hours and 49 mins, Izzi Davison and Matt Grint ran the event together in 7 hours and 45 minutes and Peter Roissetter rounded the group off in 7 hours and 51 minutes.
Claire said they “couldn’t have asked for better conditions – sunny with a cooling breeze.” It was the first ultra event for Matt who was really pleased with his time, explaining that the 10km climb to Princetown was the hardest part of the race for them. Izzi and Matt were so tired that Matt microwaved his ice cream when he got home and Izzi slapped some hair conditioner on her sunburn instead of after-sun. Always a sign of a good day’s running!
Dune of Doom
Pearl Barnes continues her travels around the country; this week she was in St Ives Bay to do the 10km “Dune of Doom.”
The event is organised by Hayle Runners; participants run three miles of beach from Hayle to Gwithian before climbing the steps for two miles of dunes on the return journey. The runners are then treated to the beach again for the final mile stretch.
Pearl came second in her age category in 1 hour and 6 minutes. Pearl said: “it was a really fun race!” Let’s see where Pearl ends up next week.
The Sticklepath Horseshoe
Five hardy runners represented the club at a very tough – but stunning – local fell event, the Sticklepath Horsehoe.
A tough course, runners take the hefty climb from Sticklepath up over to Belstone, crossing the river and heading up to Steeperton, over to Cosdon then back to Sticklepath. Finishers are treated to a pint of cider upon finishing.
Lou Duffield is particularly fond of the event and had organised a recce just a few weeks prior. She managed a time of 2 hours and 12 minutes. The views are spectacular if the conditions are right which, thankfully, they were this weekend. Some great results from the team including Claire Thompson who was the first lady home in a time of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Despite experiencing some shoelace malfunctions, Ian saw a 3-minute improvement on his time from last year coming in 4th place 1 hour and 27 minutes. Lu Walsh and Joe Lane also ran but no results for them currently.
Ivybridge 3 Tops
6 ORC men brought home the First Male Team prize at the Ivybridge 3 Tops event this week. Ian Ripper joked “they call it Ivybridge 3 tops because there are 5 big hills!”
Some great results from the ORC team who are all experienced fell runners. This course is extremely tough but thankfully the runners enjoyed dry conditions for the event.
Tom Poland was first home in 53.01, Ian Duffield close behind in 54.20, Joe Lane 56.45, Daniel Heggs arrived in 62.52, Paul Trace 63.3 and Ian Ripper 65.43.
Buckfast Abbey Dash
Taking place on the final day of the Buckfast Abbey summer fair, runners could choose from a 2.5km, 10km or half marathon distance.
10-year-old Ruairi Duffield achieved great success and was the first male in the 2.5km distance. Often seen cheering runners on at different events or at the Simmons Park Park Run of a Saturday, Ruairi joins the ORC’s Farah group each Tuesday and has been making great strides in his trail running. Ruairi says: “it was very fun and very hot!” Ruairi then went on to help marshal for the half marathon race: well done, Ruairi!
Ruairi’s Dad Ian Duffield did the half marathon distance in a time of 1 hour and 52. Ian said it was very hot, although “fun and challenging.” Eddie Bragg completed the course in 2 hours and 10 minutes and Keeley Phillips in 2 hours and 24 minutes. Bernard Stricker also ran but no results for him at present. Really great results in very hot conditions.
Mary Roberts, Pearl Barnes, Lorna Critchlow, Janet White and Claire Sprague did the 10km distance in 1 hour and 2 minutes, 1 hour and 6, 1 hour and 6, 1 hour and 15 and 1 hour and 25 respectively.
