Great Links Tor Flyer
Saturday saw 7 ORC’s take part in the Great Links Tor Flyer, the final race of 11 in the South West Fell Running 2025 series.
The ORC Juniors stated the day off with some great running by the youngsters on their 1k and 2k courses.
This is a fast course of has some fabulous descents and of course a couple of nice hills! Starting at the Fox and Hounds at Bridestowe the route has one of the most challenging ascents, up Great Nodden, to Great Links then a fast track down to Arms Tor, some contouring across to Widgery (Brat Tor) before a very steep flying descent back to the stepping stones by the river.
Luke Stannus for the first ORC home in 4th place in a time of 37:51 and first in his age category. He was followed by Tom Poland in 14:45, second in his age category, Ian Duffield 43:52, Joe Lane 44:12, Ian Ripper 49:59, third in his age category, Claire Grubb, the second female and first in her age category in 52:19 and Lou Duffield 1:07:57.
The best of 7 races of the 11 are taken to give the overall series results. ORC maintained the Team trophy for the 5th year running, narrowly beating Erme Valley by 2 points. Tom was placed third overall in the series, Joe fifth, Ian sixth and Luke eighth and first in his age category. Well done to all of them.
Yr Wyddfa
Claire Watkins travelled to Wales to take part in the Yr Wyddfa race. This is part of the Summit 3 Peaks trilogy, which takes you to the summit of the high points of England, Scotland and Wales along 3 spectacular and varied ultramarathon distance routes.
The Sea to Summit route is not the way you would normally go up Snowdon, starting from the coast at Caernarfon you make your way through stunning Snowdonia scenery towards Beddgelert on the much quieter and dramatic southern side of the mountain. From there you continue your ascent to the summit via the Watkins Path and the South Ridge before descending via the Ranger path. Sadly, due to strong winds the race was rerouted this year which meant they didn’t go right to the summit.
Claire thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, covering the 45km distance in a time of 5hrs 33mins, first lady and in 10th place overall.
Trail Escape Bristol to Bath
Pearl Barnes was in Bristol for her first trail marathon, the Trail Escape Bristol to Bath, which she completed in 5hrs 30mins, just before the rain started! The route follows the Bristol to Bath cycleway, the river Avon and canal before finally joining the Cotswold Way for the last 12km.
It’s an undulating route with breathtaking views, and massive hills at the end, even through Bath. Pearl was first in her age category.
Tamar Lakes parkrun
Closer to home, 7 ORC’s headed to Tamar Lakes who were celebrating their 500th parkrun. It was Keely Phillip’s 450th parkrun and her birthday, she celebrated with a course PB and was first in her age category – a great way to celebrate!
Barnstaple Marathon and Half Marathon
On Sunday, 7 ORC’s were at Barnstaple for the Marathon and Half Marathon races raising money for Children’s Hospice South West. Emma Jewell and Maria Ward tackled the half marathon route, finishing in1hr 45 mins and 2hrs 13mins respectively.
Emma said ‘it was a very enjoyable race, taking in some lovely scenery along the Tarka Trail, really well organised and the band of drummers along the route really helped give you a boost’.
Tackling the marathon route were Robert Kelly who finished in 2:51:45, Chris Turner 2:52:24, Stephen Sincock 3:18:28 coming second in his age category, Jo Page 3:26:45, fresh from her marathon in Berlin last week and Eddie Bragg 4:13:47.