Chagford Two Hills Race
On Bank Holiday Monday, several ORC’s, including some of the junior members, took part in the Chagford Two Hills Race. The race is 3.5 miles, including 1076 feet of ascent, up the hills of Meldon and Nattadon, with the notorious ‘bog’ in between.
There were multiple notable achievements for the ORC team with Luke Stannus coming first overall and 1st under 19 (27:13), Gill Spinney coming 1st FV50 (44:10) and Ian Ripper 1st MV60 (37:36).
Princetown 56 Fire Fighter Charity 10k
On Friday evening, ORC Jo Page took on the Princetown 56 Fire fighter Charity 10k, coming in as first female.
This is an annual event to raise money for Princetown fire fighter charity that provides vital assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need. It is described as an adrenaline-pumping adventure that conquers the rugged trails the Fire fighters train on here in Dartmoor. Jo said “ Lovely route, slightly short but you can forgive them as there is a BBQ, cake and ale at the end.”
Dartmoor Prison Break
On Saturday, Charlie Temperley and Jen Spencer took on the Dartmoor prison break, an event whereby the entrants determine their own route from HMP Dartmoor with the aim to achieve the furthest distance (as the crow flies) in a given time.
Charlie competed in the 6 hour ‘Absconder’ challenge but there was also a 12 hour ‘ Delinquent’ and the 24 hour ‘Felon’ cut off challenge which Jen Spencer competed in. Uniquely, the event is professionally organised by local charity volunteer mountain rescue team, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth to whom all funds raised from the event go.
Charlie came in first overall, with an impressive distance of 26.9, beating his closest competitor by 2 miles. He said he learnt his lessons from the 12 hour challenge he competed in last year, planning a very straight route which was well executed on the day.
Jen Spencer came in a second lady, covering a staggering 65.1 miles. Several ORC members were tracking her progress over the 24 hour period and were all in agreement that she is allowed a well deserved rest now!
Scafell Sky Race
On Saturday, Gill Spinney ran the Rab Scafell Sky race, described as a thrilling journey across some of the highest ground in the Lake District. It is a 40km race consisting of a 2800m ascent in a horse-shoe loop. The weather was awful, with heavy rain, fog and 50mph winds on the mountain tops, making it incredibly slippery on the rocky downhill sections and also hard to find the route markers.
The route starts at Great Langdale and takes in the summits of Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark, High Raise, Green Gable, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Broad Crag, Esk Pike and Bowfell before returning via the band. Gill said that it was certainly the most technically challenging race she had ever done, made much more difficult in the bad weather. About 20 percent of starters weren’t fast enough to get through the three cuts offs and Gill just scraped through the last one with 15mins to spare, finishing in 10hrs and 6 minutes.
Burrator 10k
On Saturday, Pearl Barnes took part in the Burrator 10k. Organsied by Sportiva events, the Burrator 10k is a fast, flat route almost solely on tarmac, starting on the Dam bridge in the Burrator Reservoir in Yelverton.
Pearl completed the race in 1:00:20 coming 5th (out of 19) in her age group.
Clyst Hydon Huff
On Sunday Paul Evison took part in the Clyst Hydon Huff, a 10km multi-terrain race starting at the village hall, powering uphill to enter a beautiful woodland and then finishing at the Five Bells pub.
The race consisted of two hills, the first one long, long and steep right at the start on tarmac and the second from the halfway point in Ashclyst Forest on trail paths. Paul said he just about managed to survive them both, and he was reasonably satisfied with his time of 60.24.
Coombe Hill Fell Race
Also on Sunday Mags took part in the Coombe Hill Fell Race in the Chilterns AONB, which she ran with her brother, her first Fell Race for 7 years.
The Race was in the BS category, which meant it was relatively short (just under 7k) but moderately steep. There were two ascents and descents. The summit was at 852 feet above sea level and Mags’ legs felt very heavy as she reached it However, from that point it was all downhill to the finish, with plenty of support all the way down. Her unofficial finish time was 56:29.
