Dartmoor Winter Traverse 50k Ultra
On Saturday Shaun Fryett, Simon Partridge and Claire Watkins travelled to South Brent to take part in the Dartmoor Winter Traverse 50k Ultra. This 50k route is run mostly off road across areas of wild open moor with no route markings taking in approx 1300 metres of elevation.
There are however a team of mountain leaders and support crew out on sections of the route to assist with route finding and to provide safety backup. Those at the front of the race were largely required to self-navigate.
The Winter Traverse is not your everyday run or walk on Dartmoor, it’s a gruelling challenge with the journey from South to North through some of the most remote parts of the moors, the route passes Red Lake and the sources of the rivers Erme and Plym, (runners are advised not to expect to keep their feet dry!)
After a welcome break in Princetown, runners continue to some wild locations on the north moor including Roos Tor, Tavy Cleave and Chat Tor. From here the route picks up the Rattlebrook dismantled railway before descending to the finish in Meldon.
Weather is always a factor on Dartmoor, but even more so in February, although the runners were fortunate this year to enjoy great conditions. Finishers were welcomed with pasties and hot drinks and a special beer for the occasion by Firebrand Brewing.
Shaun was the first ORC back in 12th place in a time of 6:04:27. He was closely followed by Claire in 15th place and the first lady in 6:14:12. Simon finished in 7:59:01 coming 2nd in his age category – very well done to all of them.
South West Fell Runners Dartmoor Winter Pairs
Also, on Saturday 8 members (4 teams) took part in the South West Fell Runners Dartmoor Winter Pairs (Race 1). This is a challenging fell running event with participants covering approximately 16 km, with an ascent of 813m.
The event starts from the Fox and Hounds, Bridestowe and the route includes notable landmarks such as Arms Tor and Great Links, and numerous navigational challenges.
This race is exclusively for pairs and seniors and has staggered starts. The event emphasizes teamwork and endurance, making it a unique experience for participants.
The ORC teams did well with Paul Crease and Chris Turner coming home in 3rd place in a time of 1:59:54. They were followed by Tom Poland and Charlie Temperley in 5th place in 2:04:01, then Joe Lane and his friend Rob Jinman (from Tavistock) in 6th place in 2:08:35 and Eddie Kingdom and his friend Paul Cross in 8th place in 2:16:33.
Excellent running from all on this super February day.
Hambledown Hammer
Runners on Sunday faced more of a challenge with the weather when 3 ORC’s tackled the Hambledown Hammer Half Marathon and Hammer Seven.
These ionic Dartmoor trail races start and finish in the village of Widecombe-In-The-Moor, at the foot of the Hameldown ‘massif’ surrounded by some of Dartmoor’s most iconic granite tors.
The Half marathon is a tough, challenging trail race, designed to be a serious test of endurance with a total ascent of over 800m. It is 98% trail, over a series of well-defined, grassy, rocky, sometimes muddy tracks and through forestry glades. Most significantly, there is a double ascent of the Hameldown Ridge. When the weather is good it affords spectacular views of the moor and tors, sadly we saw a big change in the weather from the previous day, so this wasn’t the case!
Ian Ripper and Paul Evison tackled the half marathon and deemed it ‘brutal’ and ‘the toughest race I’ve ever done’ with the appalling weather conditions of gale force winds and rain making the runners wonder if they would make it round – even on the downhill sections they were pushing against the wind! They did well to finish, Ian in 2:29:33 first in his age category and Paul in 3:14:56 again first in his age category.
Izzi Davison ran the Seven and probably missed the worst of the weather on this course, she had a great run to finish as 4th placed female in 1:29:21. Well done to them and thanks to the marshals for a well-marked course.
Exeter City Park 10k
Also on Sunday Rob Kelly, Andrew Vernon, Stephen Sincock, Paul Carter and Bernard Stricker
headed to Exeter to take part in the Exeter City Park 10k. Nestled amidst the charming streets and verdant landscapes, the Exeter City 10k sets the stage for an unforgettable journey of determination, camaraderie, and pure exhilaration.
With a course designed to showcase the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, runners weave through historic streets, lush parks, and vibrant neighbourhoods, each turn offering a new perspective on the beauty and spirit of Exeter.
It was an out and back route into a brutal headwind which made it hard to achieve a good result. Rob was the ORC home in a time of 38:27, followed by Andrew in 40:17 and close on his heels Stephen in 40:42. Paul was next in 43:36 and Bernard 45:42.
