It was a busy week for the ORC’s, starting on Wednesday evening when 3 members headed to Exeter for another of the popular City Runs events, the Exeter 10k.
This 2-lap traffic free flat race takes the runners through the beautiful footpaths surrounding the River Exe and Exeter Canal. The event has been carefully designed to cater for runners of all abilities, making it equally appealing to seasoned athletes looking to push their limits and newcomers eager to experience their very first 10k run.
The ORC’s did well with Andrew Vernon the first home in an excellent time of 39:51, third in his age category, he was followed by Claudine Benstead in 43:38, first in her age category and Ged Fitzgibbon in 50:04, also first in his age category.
On Thursday the ORC’s returned to Meadowlands for the annual Tavy Relays hosted by Tavistock Athletic Club. The event sees runners complete a 1.1 mile loop around the river in teams of 4. This year there were 11 ORC teams entered (4 male, 2 female and 5 junior teams). It was a warm and sunny evening in Tavistock and as always, the event was well attended.
After the fun run, the Juniors were the first to compete with teams entered in Yr5/6, Yr7/8, and Yr9/10 categories. Both Vinnie Richards and Aidan Spinney, who ran as part of the boys Yr9/10 team made the ‘Top 25 Individual’ runners with times of 05:50 and 06:03 respectively. Unfortunately, there were no team prizes for the Juniors this year – although the boys Yr5/6 team came second in their category.
The women ran next with both a Senior and a Vet 35 team entered. The final results for this event are still to come, but it was great to see ORC’s ‘running down’ in age categories, pulling together to make up teams.
The men are the final runners of the evening. The ORC’s entered a Senior Team, two Vet 40 Teams and, for the first time, a Vet 60 Team. The Vet 40 ‘A’ team were first home for the club, coming third in their category. There was a valiant effort from the V60 team who came second in their category, only 4 seconds off the winning team’s time.
After a very hot day on Friday, we were greeted with rain on Saturday for the Haytor Heller race, part of the Dartmoor Fell Series. This is a popular moorland race, now in its 38th year. It starts below Haytor Rock and follows a hilly, single lap route before returning once again to Haytor Rock with a fast downhill scamper to the finish opposite the middle car park at Haytor. The course is approximately 6 miles (10k) and is challenging, with several steep ascents and descents and is generally run across rugged open moorland (apart from two sections through woodland; firstly below Hound Tor and secondly below Haytor) and includes a stream crossing.
The rain held off for the most part of the race which meant it wasn’t quite so humid and the runners did get to enjoy the views, and were treated to amazing cakes and a BBQ at the finish. It was a great turn out of ORC’s with 12 runners taking part.
Luke Stannus was the first ORC home, and first in his age category in an excellent time of 44:37. He was followed by Tom Poland in 50:09 (second in his age category), Joe Lane 53:37, Charlie Temperley 54:12, Shaun Fryett 56:17. Daniel Heggs was next, racing for the line with Ian Ripper who he pipped at the post with a time of 01:00:31 (first in his age category) and Ian in 1:00:32 (second in his age category). They were followed by Matt Grint who finished in 1:07:30 and Tom Andrew in 1:23:12.
The team comprising of Luke, Tom, Joe and Charlie won the men’s team prize, well done to them.
Claire Watkins was the first ORC lady home and continues her winning streak coming first in her age category in a time of 56:47. The other ladies racing were Lu Walsh who finished in 1:16:00 and Sarah Dean in 1:31:46. An excellent result for all the ORC’s.
Also on Saturday Oli Hunt took part in the Arlington Court Canter 10k organised by North Devon Road runners. This is an off-road trail race set in the wonderful woods surrounding Arlington Court, billed as muddy, hilly, technical and challenging!
Fortunately, the rain held off and Oli had a great race, finishing in fourth place in a time of 44:16. He was disappointed to miss a podium place by just 5 seconds – I’m sure he will be back again next year!
On Sunday Jennifer and Ben Law headed to Harlyn Bay for the Purple Gecko Gathering, a brand-new coastal run with either a 10k ish option starting at Padstow and finishing at Harlyn Bay, or the 20k ish option starting at Harlyn Bay running to Padstow and then back to Harlyn Bay.
Jennifer took part in the 10k race and finished in a time of 1:04:46, seventh placed female. Ben took on the 20k event and finished eighth placed male in a time of 1:45:06. Well done to them and all the runners.
