South West Schools Cross Country
Included in this week’s report is Luke Stannus’s effort at the South West Schools cross country which took place on February 1st. Luke was 17th overall, helping the Devon team to rank in third overall. Luke was third for Devon as well so clearly Luke’s constant training and high weekly mileage is paying off! Well done, Luke.
Purple Gheko Cardinham Woods
Not put off by the 8.00 race start, eight ORCs headed to Cardinham Woods, Bodmin for Purple Ghekos Full and Half Marathon event on Saturday 8th February.
Matt Grint says: “After a team talk, we were on our way with the half marathon runners completing two laps and the marathon runners completing four laps of a very scenic, but incredibly hilly, route through the woods.
After two laps, most ORCs completed their event and headed to the coffee shop to warm up. Andrew Deane, however, decided he wanted to do it all again and completed his first marathon on this challenging course – massive congratulations to him.
It was fantastic to see so many ORCs on the start line and cheering each other on around the course.”
Results were:
Half marathon
- Bernard Stricker – 2.07.17
- Eddie Bragg – 2.19.00
- Matt Grint – 2.24.40
- Lou Duffied – 2.24.46
- Sarah and Mo Marvin – 2.35.43
Half marathon canicross
- Keeley Phillips – 2.53.49 (first time running with dog Clover)
Marathon
- Deane Andrew – 5.42.53 (first marathon)
Sarah had an additional achievement of being the 1st in the Vet 50 category.
Brown Willy Run 2025
The Brown Willy Run was rescheduled from New Year’s Day due to the bad weather to Sunday 9th February. Four ORCS took advantage of some welcome sunshine and headed to the Jamaica Inn, Bolventor. The route is 7 miles and involves cross moor running with an ascent/descent of Brown Willy. Conditions are boggy in places which is standard for open moor running!
The event is a fundraiser for East Cornwall Search and Rescue who provided first aid cover for the event.
Lou and Ian Duffield were joined by Matt Grint and Jo Page.
Ian finished up in 56 minutes and 55 seconds and expressed his gratitude to the mountain rescue team and the marshals.
Jo Page finished up in 1 hour and 8 minutes and commented that it was “beautiful up there.”
Lou said it was “fantastic weather on Bodmin and a superb turn out! A bonus to finish at the Jamaica Inn.” Lou came home in a time of 1 hour and 23 minutes, one minute behind Matt.
A great day’s running for a fantastic cause. Well done ORCs!
Exeter Community 5 Miler
Stephen Sincock was in Exeter on Sunday 9th for the Exeter Community 5-miler. Stephen commented that it was “damn cold and an early 8.45am start.” However, Stephen’s efforts were rewarded as he achieved a new club record in the Male Vet 65 category with a time of 33 minutes and 7 seconds coming 7th overall. Well done, Stephen!
Exeter Half Marathon
Mark Peck represented the club in Exeter on Saturday 8th for the Exeter Half Marathon. Mark said that the interval sessions run by the club have been definitely helping as he achieved a fantastic time of 1 hour and 32 minutes, a personal best for Mark. Mark described the event as a “nice flat course, but cold!”
Run 31 Miles in January Challenge
Last month, Mags Jarvis took part in the Run 31miles in January Challenge to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association. To date her Challenge has raised £1,181.
It certainly was a challenge with winter storms, icy conditions and the effects of viruses to negotiate. She reached 27.5 miles; then a virus sapped her strength at the end of the month and she couldn’t do her final run. Even so that was the first time she had run over 25 miles in a month since March 2021. Congratulations, Mags, and well done.
