It was another busy week for members of Okehampton Running Club, with races as far away as Scotland and Buckinghamshire.
OMM
On Saturday Charlie Temperley took part in the 55th OMM in Glen Artney, Scotland with his future brother-in-law James.
The OMM is a two-day self-supported orienteering-style event. Charlie and James did the “long score” format meaning they had 7hrs on day 1 and 6hrs on day 2 to collect as many points as possible from the small, unmanned checkpoints scattered throughout the highlands.
The main challenges were serious terrain (which made Dartmoor feel very flat!), lack of tracks, map and compass navigation, and proper backpacks (theirs were almost 10kg fully stocked).
Charlie said that all this combined meant there wasn’t all that much actual running! It was his first OMM, but not James’s which proved helpful for the navigation and kit choices.
They did well finishing 50th out of 150 and with 2hrs spare across the 2 days. Charlie said he loved the event and would definitely do it again, saying it was great fun and highly recommended for those who like maps, hill walking and wild camping!
Devon Trail Race
The Devon trail race 10k was the choice for Mary Roberts and Lois Rowlands on Saturday, this year at Roadford Lake. The10k is a single loop course with some trails, some tough climbs and ‘some’ mud. (Slight under exaggeration according to the runners!) Mary, who was running with her daughter Holly finished in 1:10:26 and Lois in 1:19:35.
Kathryn Volkelt-Igoe took part in the 10k canicross event with her dog Bree, who is new to this type of event, and they finished in 1:25:07.
Mother and daughter duo Sarah and Molly Marvin took part in the half marathon, which was 2 laps of the same muddy course. They ran together and finished neck and neck with Molly in 2:20:32.5 and Sarah in 2:20:33.0, giving Sarah first place in her age category.
Bideford 10mile
Eight ORC’s headed to Bideford on Sunday to take part in what is billed as possibly the fastest 10 mile race in Devon, supporting North Devon Hospice.
The race takes in magnificent views of the Taw and Torridge estuary, heading out on the roads and returning on the Tarka Trail. The race is moderately flat, with only three small inclines which makes it such a fast course.
The ORC’s had a really good day, taking four age category first places in the event and gaining an incredible six new club records!
Luke Stannus was the first ORC home in an incredible time of 56.24 which was twelfth place overall and first MU20 – setting a new club record for this distance. Next was Stephen Sincock in 1.05.46, first M60 and a club record for his age category.
Katie Littlejohns Riches was just behind him finishing in an excellent time of 1:06:29 also setting a new overall club record.
Andrew Vernon was next in 1.07.30 and Claudine Benstead in 1.08.22, she was first in her age category and set a new British and club age record.
Carole Loader was next home in a time of 1.15.09, another new club age record.
Paul Evison was next in 1.17.41 first in his age category and yet another a club age record set.
The final ORC was Pearl Barnes who came home in 1:35:49, which she was pleased with competing in her first ever race.
The weather conditions were as perfect as it’s possible to get which no doubt helped the runners to achieve these amazing results. Well done everyone!
Marlow Half Marathon
Emma Jewell took part in the Marlow half marathon on Sunday. Billed as a ‘scenic, yet tough route through the rolling hills of the Chilterns. If you love a challenge, this race is for you’. Obviously, we are very used to hills in Devon and Emma completed it in 1:50:51. She said it was a lovely course, apart from the dreaded hills!
Cornish Marathon
Four ORC’s Jo Page, Chris Turner, Robert Kelly and Paul Carter took part in the Cornish Marathon, Cornwall’s only all road marathon, described as one of the toughest in the UK.
The race starts at Pensilva which offers a gentle introduction to the scenic circular out and back route which takes runners along the Draynes Valley, through the ‘Poldark’ country of Bodmin Moor, past King Arthur’s legendary Dozmary Pool, Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn at Bolventor and back along the Fowey Valley. It takes in a climb to Foredown between miles 24 and 25, which most runners will remember for a long time, and not just for the fabulous views!
Chris was the first ORC home in a time of 3:09:34, third in his age category. He was followed by Robert in a time of 3:16:26 also third in his age category. Next was Jo who was fifth lady overall and first in her age category in a time of 3:31:21 and then Paul in 3:41:50.
Well done to everyone and good luck to the Couch 2 5k runners who are completing their 5k training with a final run next weekend.
