Solstice fell race
On Wednesday, there was a great turnout of ORCs for this year’s Solstice fell race at Merrivale. The 5 Dartmoor mile course climbs up Great Staple, Roos and White Tors for over 300m of elevation with a fast flying descent to the finish. It was tough on a very hot, sticky evening but 19 ORCs were up for the challenge also drawn by the promise of refreshments at the Dartmoor Inn afterwards!
Tom Poland was first ORC home in 6th place (42:55) followed by Rob Russell (44:29), Ian Duffield (46:11), Joe Lane (46:20), Stewart Taylor (46:55), Rob Hicks (47:09), Charlie Temperley (49:40), Claire Watkins was first lady (51:46), Ian Ripper (52:42), Emma Brock was 1st FV40 (53:02), Danny Heggs (53:23), Steve Sylvester (56:39), Deane Andrew (59:52), Emily Young (1:00:18), Lou Duffield (1:04:52), Keeley Phillips (1:07:39), Matt Grint (1:08:13), Claire Thompson (1:08:28) and Lorna Critchlow (1:09:52).
Malvern 5k
Mags Jarvis took part in the Malvern 5k last Wednesday whilst she was staying with her daughter who lives in Malvern. The multi terrain race was very well organised by Malvern Joggers.
Mags found much of the route very hard and uneven. The course was also undulating which proved to be hard work in the temperature of 25°C. She was very pleased to finish in 32:40 and was 1st in the FV65 age group.
Coastal Dash
On Thursday, Jo Page and Lou Duffield travelled to Dawlish Warren to run Dawlish Coaster’s Coastal Dash.
This is a 4 mile multi-terrain running race which includes sandy beach, sea wall and coastal footpath. Jo (finishing in 28:02) and Lou (finishing in 32:57) said it was a lovely event with a medal and an ice cream at the finish which they said was well earned as the beach section was a killer!
Siblyback Gecko Gathering
On Saturday, Keeley Phillips was at Liskeard for Purple Gecko Events’ Siblyback Gecko Gathering.
This popular family friendly summer event offers stunning lakeside scenery and a choice of flat courses with a supportive, welcoming atmosphere. Keeley opted for the 5k race ahead of her half marathon on Sunday. She was very pleased to finish as 2nd lady in 23:24.
Burrator Horseshoe fell race
On Saturday, the Meavy Oak Fair and Burrator Horseshoe were back together with 2025 being the 27th year for the popular fell race. Each year, this event raises substantial funds for local charities and good causes. The race is a 6 mile moorland run which takes in Burrator Reservoir before climbing up Sheepstor and Gutter Tor with a nice cooling ford dip on the way to an awesome welcome at the finish on the village green.
The heatwave made for tough, energy sapping running conditions but there were top performances all round with ORC winning a team prize alongside Erme Valley Harriers.
First ORC home was again Tom Poland finishing 10th overall (51:25), followed by Stewart Taylor (54:19), Joe Lane (56:05), Claire Watkins was 3rd lady (1:01:39), Ian Ripper (1:01:51), Danny Heggs (1:02:33), Charlie Temperley (1:03:57), Peter Roisetter (1:18:40) and Euan Ripper (1:30:19 whilst feeling the effects of post-A level exam completion celebrations!)
ORC Juniors
On Wednesday and Saturday, our amazing ORC Juniors were also out in force braving the hot running conditions at both the Solstice and Burrator fell races. The youngest juniors ran a 2km course and the older juniors a 4km course.
At the Solstice race, Alice Spiers was 1st U11 girl in 11:46 and Ellenor Taylor was 1st U15 girl in 21:42.
In the U13 boys, Arthur Lane was 1st in 17:13 and Thomas Spiers 3rd in 20:35.
At the Burrator race, Alice Spiers was 3rd in 12:28 in U11 girls, Jacob Lane was 3rd in U11 boys in 11:43, Ellenor Taylor was 3rd U15 girl in 20:52 and in the U13 boys Alistair Taylor was 2nd in 15:57, Arthur Lane 3rd in 16:06 and Thomas Spiers 4th in 16:55.
Giants Head Marathon
Bernard Stricker travelled with friends to Sydling St Nicholas in Dorset for the Giants Head Marathon which is part of a whole weekend camping event also including a 10k, half marathon, a junior hill race and a catered barn dance after party.
The marathon route was challenging and hilly running on trails through the Cerne and Sydling valleys. However, the steep climbs and sharp descents rewarded the runners with amazing views.
Bernard said conditions were quite hot and he was pleased to finish in 5:20:19 and be awarded his unique finishers medal!
Junior InterCounties Fell Championships
The 2025 FRA British Junior Fell Intercounties Championships races for Under15s/U17s/U19s were held on Saturday. The races were incorporated into the fourth race in the FRA English Junior Fell Championships six race series held at Clougha Pike and organised by Bowland Fellrunners.
We had two ORCs running in the Devon team and both ran strongly in highly competitive fields against runners from all over the UK. Luke Stannus ran in the U19 boys category finishing an amazing 7th overall in 43:14. Aiden Spinney ran in the U17 boys category and was pleased to finish 22nd overall. Well done both you!
Snowdon SkyRace
On Saturday, Gill Spinney was back in Eyri/Snowdonia for the Snowdon SkyRace. Based in Llanberis, this is a 38km grand tour of some of the UK’s most scenic trails, ridges and grade 1 scrambles with 3300m of elevation.
The figure of eight loop takes in technical, rocky ground including the climb up Yr Wydffa, the traverse of the Tryfan ridge and the iconic Crib Goch scramble before a quad demolishing descent. Gill said this was the hardest race she had ever done with tight cut offs and a 20% DNF rate. She was delighted to finish in under 12 hours.
Jurassic Coast 100
This weekend Ian Duffield took on Climb South West’s Jurassic Coast 100k. Starting at 9pm on Saturday, runners are quickly plunged into darkness to self navigate this challenging route that follows the South West Coast Path.
Starting from Nothe Fort in Weymouth and finishing in Exmouth, the course takes in a total 2900m of elevation along the way. Ian said it was a well organised event with lots of great people, marshals and helpers plus well stocked aid stations and a stunning route. Ian was pleased to finish in 16:21:00 and promptly fell asleep on the grass!
Jurassic Coast 50k
Using the Burrator Horseshoe fell race on Saturday as a warm up, Peter Roisetter then tackled Climb South West’s Jurassic Coast 50km on Sunday!
Running alongside the 100k and 100mile courses, this race starts at Lyme Regis and finishes at Exmouth having covered approx 1800m of ascent. Conditions were warm and very muggy and Peter was very pleased with his cold beer at the finish! Official result and position are pending due to a technical issue with Peter’s tracker.
Waterford Viking Marathon
On Sunday, Oli Hunt travelled to Ireland for the Waterford Viking Marathon. Set in Ireland’s oldest city the reasonably flat, fast course races along the Waterford Greenway, crosses iconic bridges and passes through the stunning Waterford countryside.
Whilst the weather was not as hot as expected, Oli was disappointed the forecasted cooling rain did not materialise! He was pleased to finish in under his sub 3hrs30 goal time in 3:28:22.
Smugglers Scuttler Pirate & Corsair
On Sunday, Bys Vyken Events Smugglers Scuttler Pirate and Corsair event took place. This was a pirate themed half marathon and marathon starting and finishing at Lands End and this will sadly be its final running.
Claire Grubb ran the marathon which headed out to Mousehole and back covering 44kms with over 1800m of elevation over one of the toughest sections of Cornish coast path. Claire was very grateful for the great support and good Samaritans along the route with tables of food and drink especially on such a hot day.
She was delighted to finish 1st lady in an unofficial time of 6hrs20.
Keeley Phillips ran the half marathon which headed out to Cape Cornwall and back with over 650m of elevation which she said was tough in the hot conditions. She was chuffed to beat her previous race time especially as the route was longer this year finishing in an unofficial time of 3hrs06.
Man vs Moor
Also on Sunday, Matt Grint and Emma Jewell travelled to Exmoor National Park with friends from Okement H3 Hash Harriers for Channel Events’ Man vs Moor event.
Here runners are challenged to take on the ancient ‘Chains’ area of Exmoor to run, walk, scramble and tunnel their way around naturally created obstacles including a swim across Pinkworthy Pond. Runners can choose between 5k, 10k and 10 mile courses. Matt and Emma opted for the 10 mile route and had a very enjoyable race with Emma finishing in 2:11:39 and Matt in 2:13:25.
