Bude Lifeboat Run
This was a busy week for the ORC’s, starting on Wednesday evening when 5 members headed off to take part at the Bude Lifeboat Run. This is a popular local run organised by the Bude RAT’s with money raised going to the RNLI.
This 6-mile race is around Bude’s cycleway, canal towpath and off-road footpaths, a lovely route and there was a great crowd making for a super atmosphere. Fortunately, it was a cool, fine and sunny evening which suited the runners, with Jo Page the first ORC home in a time of 45:21, giving her first place in her age category. She was followed by Lu Walsh in 59:39, Stephen Mahoney 1:02:39, Vicky Bond 1:03:39 and Lois Rowlands in 1:08:26.
Burrator Horseshoe
Burrator was the destination for 8 ORC’s on Saturday to take part in the Burrator Horseshoe, a 6 mile moorland run organised by South West Fell Runners in support of Meavy Oak Fair. The route takes runners from Meavy over Dartmoor, via Burrator Reservoir, Sheepstor Dam, Sheepstor summit (369m), Gutter Tor summit (357m), and Ringmoor Down. It has a spectacular finish with the offer of a nice cooling ford dip on the village green.
It was a great turn out from Okehampton with 3 ORCJ’s and 8 senior runners taking part, the best turn out ever for the race with 139 entries. There was rain just before the start, but it remained dry for the race although it was quite hot and humid on the moor.
Sam Priday had an exceptional race, coming home in first place overall in a time of 42:49. Tom Poland was the next ORC back in a time of 46:11, followed by Joe Lane in 49:11, new ORC Bernard Stricker in 51:06, Charlie Temperley in 53:07, Ian Ripper in 56:00, first in his age category, Euan Ripper in 53:32 also first in his age category and Sarah Dean in 1:24:31.
Okehampton also took the team prize, well done to them all.
The ORCJ’s had a good day with Ellenor Taylor coming second in her age category in a time of 20:15. Alistair Taylor came first in his age category in 10:37 with Jacob Lane fourth in 11:28.
It was a great atmosphere at the fair and a good time was had by all!
Tsunami
Also, on Saturday 4 ORC’s took on some of the toughest trail running challenges in the South West along the rugged clifftops and cliff trails of the Coast Path, the Tsunami.
Brilliantly organised and well supported by Outer Edge Events, three distances are offered: Sixteen miles, Marathon and a 37 mile Ultra running between Westward Ho!, Clovelly and Hartland Quay, with all races finishing on the lawns at Bude Castle.
It was wild and isolated with no towns and villages along the route, but the well-stocked checkpoints with smiley support crew are a welcome sight for the runners! Claire Watkins and Simon Partridge ran the marathon starting at 9am from the beautiful Clovelly harbour and headed uphill on the cobblestones through the village to reach the coast path. The route then took in over 2,000 metres of ascent before it reached Bude. They were lucky with the weather and the predicted rain held off and despite a strong side wind to contend with for most of the way, the cooler conditions were perfect for running.
Continuing her excellent form Claire was pleased to finish first female and in third place overall in a time of 5hrs 12min. Simon was running with his work partner Kate, and they finished together in 7hrs 27min.
Mother and daughter duo, Sarah and Molly Marvin, took on the ultra distance starting with rain jackets and rainbows at the earlier time of 7am. They had an enjoyable day out on the trails, saying it was amazing and they loved it, however it was brutal, especially with the constant steps up and down. They had a head wind the whole way and a hailstorm early in the race! They were pleased to finish together in 9hrs 35mins and were third placed females. Very well done to everyone.
Giants Head Marathon
After her excellent run just a few days before, on Saturday Jo Page headed to Sydling St Nicholas in Dorset to take part in the sell-out Giants Head Marathon. She was fortunate to get a last-minute place as she was on the waiting list.
The marathon route is a very challenging, hilly but beautiful route through the Sydling and Cerne valleys running around and under the famous Cerne Giant. It is certainly not for the faint hearted! This tough race has steep climbs, sharp descents and the most amazing views of the rolling countryside whilst covering over 3,000ft of elevation.
The weather was kind to the runners, and it stayed dry for nearly the whole race. Jo had a very enjoyable run and ended up racing to secure 3rd female in a time of 4:11:48.
Hampshire Hoppit
Lucy Gooding was not resting after her run of 32 miles last weekend at the Dartmoor Discovery Ultramarathon, as on Sunday she took part in the Hampshire Hoppit.
The Hampshire Hoppit marathon, half marathon and 10k are trail races which are predominantly off-road. They use routes that are clearly marked and marshalled, and include local sections of famous long-distance footpaths, the Wayfarers Walk and (for the marathon and half marathon) the Harrow Way.
All the races are scenic single-lap courses that start and end at Watership Down near Kingsclere on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, reaching some of the highest points in Hampshire with views across three counties.
Lucy took part in the Marathon distance and completed it in 6hrs 13mins. She loved the route, saying it was absolutely beautiful, but struggled a bit as her legs were aching after last week! She wasn’t going to give in though and persevered, a great achievement.
