The Exeter 5k is part of the Run Exe Summer 5k series this a great traffic free, pancake flat 5km run that takes place on the footpaths and cycle tracks around Exwick Playing Fields and the River Exe Flood Relief. It is popular for people chasing PB’s along with novice runners.
Three ORC’s took part, first home was Andrew Vernon in a time of 19:11 coming second in his age category, then Claudine Benstead 20:33 first in her age category and Paul Evison 22:52, second in his age category.
Claudine was disappointed with her time, as she was tired, but she still managed to achieve the fastest time for her age this year and take a new club record – well done to her!
On Wednesday five ORC’s and four Juniors headed to Ivybridge for the 3 Tops race. This exciting fell race organised by Erme Valley Harriers is part of the Dartmoor Fell Series.
The senior race was approx 10k with a 450m climb, and stunning views over the South Hams, and there were some challenging junior race routes.
The ORC Juniors did well achieving second and third places in the U11’s with Alistair Taylor finishing in 9:37 and Jacob Lane in 10:09.
Thomas Spears came third in the U13’s in 15:58 and Eleanor Taylor was the third girl in 20:07.
The senior route starts with a brisk run up Western Beacon then across the open moor to loop down, and up to Weatherdon. This is followed by a scramble over tussocks to Glasscombe Ball, a fast down to the stream crossing at Scada Brook, (what goes down must come up!) and then a sharp rise up to Ugborough Beacon before a second stream crossing at Lud Brook, and across to Western for a fast descent to the finish.
Tom Poland was the first ORC home and third in his age category in a time of 54:35, followed by Joe Lane in 55:52, Ian Ripper in 65:36, Danny Heggs in 66:47 and Sarah Lane in 1:48:06.
Ivybridge was also the destination on Saturday for Nicky Brown and Katie Littlejohns-Riches taking part in OuterEdge Events the Dartmoor Crossing and the Great Escape.
The Dartmoor Crossing is a challenging 55km Ultramarathon and the Great Escape a scenic 25km Long Half Marathon.
The Crossing takes participants on a north-to-south traverse of the Moor from Belstone to Ivybridge, while the Great Escape starts in Princetown and follows the last 15 miles of the Crossing to the finish at Ivybridge Rugby Club.
Both ladies had super races, Nicky taking on the Dartmoor Crossing and finishing third lady in a time of 6:27:56 and Katie in the Great Escape was the first lady home and sixth overall in a splendid time of 1:57:25.
Also on Saturday Paul Crease, Joe Lane, Eddie Kingdom, Robert Richards, Lou Duffield and Lu Walsh took part in a local race, the Sticklepath Horseshoe. This is a 9.6-mile self-navigation fell race across the moorland of North Dartmoor.
The competitors are required to pass through six Checkpoints at Skaigh Warren, Belstone Seat, Belstone Tor, Steeperton Tor, Cosdon Beacon, and Skaigh Warren again, however they may take any route they wish to get to those checkpoints.
It was described by the runners as a fab low-key local run, totally unspoilt, just like a good old fashioned fell race! Conditions were perfect and everyone finished strongly with Paul the first ORC home in fourth place in a time of 1:28:48.
He was followed by Joe 1:31:10, Eddie 1:33:12, Rob and Lou battling it out at 2:04:28 and 2:04:33 respectively and Lu in 2:13:07.
On Sunday Carole Loader took part in the Farndale Marathon at Hutton-le-Hole, York. This is a circular route through the scenic North York Moors.
Carole described it as a fabulous route, with the moors awash with heather out in full bloom. It was very hilly (4,300+ feet of climbing involved) and technically an ultra-marathon as it was 28.5 miles. The route was extremely technical with pesky boulders lurking on the very narrow trails amongst the heather to trip you up and the temperature topped 28 degrees. Carole was delighted to finish in a time of 6:07 giving her first place in her age group.
Also on Sunday Richmond Park was the destination for Simon O’Neill for the Richmond Park Half Marathon. This course is a 4-lap loop with the runners registering chip times on each lap and the lap times listed so the runners can track how well they paced their run.
It is as also 28 degrees in London, which Simon found challenging, and he was also struggling with pain in his hamstring. He was running with his son (who achieved a PB) and friends and was pleased to achieve a time of 1:56:51, finishing second in his age category. Well done everyone on a packed and varied week of running.
