Great Mis Fell Race
The Dartmoor Fell Series kicked off the summer 2024 series with the first event on Saturday 23 March organised by TAC/SW Fell Runners and Devon AA. This race was also used for the Devon county senior team selection.
The Dartmoor Fell Series events, as the name suggests, are fell runs and the competitors have to think about navigation (although most courses are clear – unless its misty!)
ORC’s Danny Heggs, Charlie Temperley, Ian Ripper, Tom Poland and Joe Lane completed the very un summer race, it was just 4 degrees, and windy with hail at the start. Fortunately, though it was mostly dry for the race itself and the wind was kind to the runners on the final ascent.
The team described the route as ‘fun’, they ran up from Princetown to the TV mast, then down through some tricky ‘technical bits’ before a climb up Little Mis Tor, followed by a decent before a big climb up Great Mis Tor and finally a good run home with the wind behind them, at last.
The runners did well covering a total of 11.4k and a 429m height gain. Tom was the first ORC home in a time of 58:05 and third in his age category, followed by Charlie in 1:03:10 and Joe in 1:04:41. Ian followed in 1:13:23 coming first in his age category, then Danny in 1:16:18 – well done to them all.
Race With No Name – Dartmoor Traverse East to West
This race returned with an entirely new route from east to west Dartmoor, which could be run in pairs or solo. There is a 14mile or 50k option of this race, both starting at 7am on Saturday from Trenchford Reservoir.
Robert Richards and Ben Law were scheduled to do the 14mile route, starting at Trenchford reservoir, passing Lustleigh woods, Hameldown and finishing at Postbridge.
Ben had an exceptional run finishing in 1st place, covering the distance in 2hrs 15min. A fantastic time considering the hilly route, as well as the self-navigation along the way. Robert on the other hand upon finishing the 14mile race was recruited to perform his regular ‘sweeping’ duties, following the competitors as the safety runner at the rear ensuring that all the runners got safely to the end. So, he continued along the route crossing the West Dart river and following the Lych Way before arriving at Tavistock via Merrival.
Ben was so quick he missed all the treacherous weather that Robert encountered! High winds, sleet, snow and hail. Those familiar with Dartmoor at this time of the year will know exactly what it’s like!
Feighan Fury
ORC’s Emma Jewell and Matt Grint headed to Templeton, nr Tiverton on Sunday to take part in the Feighan Fury 10 mile race.
The race is organised by South West Road Runners and the Exe Valley Rotary Club. Competitors are told to expect a ‘challenging’ 10 mile multi-terrain race around private land in the rolling hills of mid Devon, with hills, woods, trails, rivers and fun on this mainly off road course.
Emma took a tumble at mile 3 but carried on and they completed the very scenic (and also very hilly and muddy!) course together in a time of 1:55, which they were both pleased with given the conditions on the course.
As it was Matt’s birthday, they were joined by friends who completed both the 10 mile Fury and the 5km Canicross. Happy birthday Matt!
