Three ORC’s joined the Torrington Amateur Athletics Club for their Torrington Christmas
Caper on Sunday 22nd December.
Each year the Athletics Club host their annual Christmas run – approximately ten miles of
mud, forest trails, rivers and hills; the club wonder what better way is there to kick off
Christmas celebrations?
Claire Watkins, Ian Ripper and Lou Duffield went to find out. Previously voted “Devon Race of
the Year”, the TAAC donates race proceeds to local charities which is usually presented at
their Round the Tree event the following Spring.
Claire, who has discovered a love for trail running since moving to Devon said the event had
“mud, thigh-deep wading, hills and sunshine: just the way we like it!”
Ian said it was a “fun ten miles, a trough of ice-cold water for about 80 metres, some tarka
trail, a brass band and a nice Christmas swag bag – a lovely event.”
Some brilliant results from the trio with Claire Watkins the first to finish and the third lady in in 1 hour 20 minutes, with Ian Ripper hot on her heels at 1 hour and 25 minutes. Lou Duffield rounded up the group in 1 hour and 44 minutes.
The team forgot to take a “muddy after shot” but Claire commented that this was “probably for
the best!”
