Barnstaple Marathon
The local and relatively flat Barnstaple Marathon / Half Marathon was a popular destination for several ORC’s this weekend who came back with some amazing results.
The pre race warning of rain and wind didn’t disappoint, rain greeting runners on the start line and at several points during the run, along with strong winds. Despite the weather, some fantastic times were achieved. Rob Kelly romped home to win his first race in a hotly contested Marathon (2.51.04), all three podium members were in with a chance until Kelly blew them away with a sprint finish. First female home for the club was Katie Littlejohns who scooped the first senior lady prize with 3.27.19.
A special mention also to both Jo Page and Claudine Benstead who scooped first senior lady and first vet 60 lady respectively for the half marathon distance.
An enjoyable day with some fantastic results and achievements, too many to list in dispatches, all times listed below. Well done all!
Marathon
Rob Kelly, 1st place overall, PB, 2h51m
Andy Vallance, 6th, 3h02m
Paul Carter, 27th & 3rd MV50, 3h17m
Roger Voaden, 28th, 3h17m
Graham Bryant, 34th, 3h24m
Katie Littlejohns, 4th Lady & 1st Senior Lady, PB, 3h27m
Karen Vallance, PB, age category club record, 3h48m
Andy Thorne, 3h55m
Emma Dean, 1st marathon, 3h59m
Paul Evison DNF
Half Marathon
Steve Sincock, 2nd MV50, 1h27m
Jo Page, 4th Lady & 1st Senior Lady, PB, age category club record, 1h31m
Claudine Benstead, 1st FV60, 1h33m
Mags Jarvis, 2nd FV60, 1h59m
Bradley’s Exmouth 10k
7 ORC’s braved the wet and blustery conditions at this weekend’s well attended Bradley’s 10k Exmouth. The high winds and the waves were crashing over the sea wall but the team took it all in their stride. Jane Richardson was first ORC home with an incredible PB of 57.32 which is a platinum time. Just behind her was Vicky Bond with a time of 58.26. Vanessa Keast and Lauren Bond came in at 1:07:00, also a PB for them both. Cheryl King, Lynsey King and Jo Teixeira crossed the line together at 1:11:00. For most of the group this was only the 2nd time to attempt this distance after completing the couch to 5k last year, now all we can say is.. what’s next?
A fellow ORC, Mike Westland on a family trip to London competed in the Lee Valley Velo Park series 10k race. On this moto GP styled race circuit, Mike stormed his way around attempting to beat his personal best. set in Lee Valley’s Velo Park, a normal home for BMX cycling, this was his second opportunity to run the route on this spectacular one mile circuit at Olympic Park. Mike came in with an impressive 49.48mins which was 22 out of 133 runners and first in the mv60 category