Dartmoor Discovery
We start with a late entry from last week. On 3rd June 3 ORCs made their way to Princetown for a very warm edition of the Dartmoor Discovery 32 mile ultramarathon. The race starts in Princetown, and follows a route passing through Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Newbridge, Ashburton, Buckland in the Moor, Widecombe in the Moor, and Postbridge, before making its way back to finish in Princetown.
Chris Turner was first ORC home 8th overall in 4:17, followed by Paul Carter in 5:11 for his 13th finish of this epic event. Rob Kelly made the tough decision to retire at 20 miles, having been unwell leading up to the race. Rob is an avid runner of this event and I know he’ll be back with a vengeance for 2024.
Run Exe 5k Summer Series 3rd Round
Four ORC’s were in Exeter on a pleasant sunny Tuesday evening for this race which is the third of six. The best four count towards the final placings.
Stan Wood’s plan to get away quickly, run the first half fast then try to maintain the pace thereafter proved the right strategy and helped him to a 20 second PB in the U17 age group, (18.27)
Andrew Vernon placed himself under no pressure to perform and had a magnificent run finishing just 4 seconds shy of the M55 cub record, (18.54). Claudine Benstead was disappointed with a run a little below her best but still managed an Age Category 2nd,(20.24) and Paul Evison had a good run not yet fully fit after injury, (23.12) CR.
Buckland Bounder
On Saturday three ORC’s took part in the Buckland Bounder. This is a scenic multi terrain race of just over 6miles now part of the Dartmoor Fell Series. It was a hot one!
A great atmosphere was generated for the racers as they finished in the heart of the village of Buckland Monachorum during the Summer Fair. As the finishers crossed the line as well as collecting their medal they were also offered a pint of water, a Banana and a pint of Jail Ale. The heat was much too hot for Joe Lane who decided that lying down in the stream was preferable to the pint of Ale.
1st ORC home was Tom Poland 11th (46.39), next was Joe Lane 19th (48.55) followed by Jo Page 3rd lady in a category winning time of 50.29.
Boscastle Scramble
Jo-Anne Turner in the company of a couple of friends took on this Supported, Self Navigated Marathon along the North Cornish Coast. It starts at Rock on the Camel Estuary and finishes in Boscastle.. As anyone who has walked the Coast Path will testify the Climbs (5700ft) and drop downs are quite a test. When you factor in running and heat it becomes a challenge which is not for the Fainted Hearted. The Trio achieved their goal in 8 hours. Well done to them all.
Swansea Half Marathon
This race is billed as Wales biggest and best. It starts at Copr Bay Bridge and heads out towards the Singleton Campus before heading back though the City passing the Castle and the Waterfront Museum. Onwards then towards The Mumbles with views of Swansea Bay before returning via Brynmill Lane to the finish in Swansea Arena.
Mike Davies took on this race with his cousin in the ‘Far Too Hot’ conditions and both finished together in the excellent time of 1.36.16.
Shiver Me Timbers
Sunday saw this Pirate themed 10 mile Trail Race on the Coast Path at Torbay, get underway.
Three ORC ladies headed away from Goodrington across the coastal trails, through woodlands, across bays and coves to seek the Pirate King of Torbay, who was hiding out past the Golden Hind at Brixham Harbour. When they found him they were given a coin which they later exchanged for a Medal when they crossed the finishing line.
It was so hot that after the race one of the Trio having warmed a paving slab to a heat approaching that of a Hotplate, took refuge in the sea.
Unofficial times have Jo Page finishing in 1.40.10, Karen King in 2.00.17 and Lucy Gooding 2.30.01. The Ladies agreed that it was a lovely race on a tough beautiful course, but decided they would rather not encounter any more steps on a run for a little while.
