Our Committee

We are an inclusive club, and welcome feedback from our members. If you have an issue or suggestion which you would like the committee to consider then please email okehamptonrunningclub@gmail.com

SARAH MARVIN

Chair

I ran cross country and track competitively and pretty fast through my teenage years and then, in true teenage fashion, tired of it and barely ran a step until I was 40. At that point, I rediscovered my love for running and joined ORC. I loved running the Westward League cross country events and Parkrun 5ks, and eventually increased my mileage and enjoyed a 10k and then half marathon events. Sometimes I run hard to compete, but more often I run for the pleasure of completing. Being part of the club and running with friends makes running so much more enjoyable and I urge anyone who wants to improve their physical and/or mental health to give it a go.

NICK MARVIN

Treasurer

I started running quite late in life and run for fitness rather than competitively. I have been an enthusiastic Parkrunner since 2014 and love running with people of a similar ability. I also enjoyed entering events over longer distances, even up to a half marathon. After a long absence through injury, I decided to join the club’s couch to 5K programme to bring myself back to fitness and became a fully fledged member in 2020. I very much enjoy the social aspect of our Tuesday and Thursday runs which are fun rather than achievements.

JACQUELINE SHIELDS

Secretary

Although I was keen on sport at school, mainly playing hockey for Okehampton School first XI and Columbines, along with moor walking and Ten Tors, I wasn’t a big fan of cross country. After leaving school I mainly went to the gym to keep fit and enjoyed group exercise classes. When I moved back to Okehampton in 2015 I was keen to do something to keep fit and meet new people, so thought I’d give running a go and joined ORC. I must say I haven’t looked back! I have gradually improved and run a few 10k races, although this isn’t my main focus, I just enjoy getting out with like minded people and exploring new routes. What I like about ORC is the constant support and encouragement from colleagues and coaches to do your best. The club is incredibly friendly and welcomes athletes of all abilities, so like me, why not just give it go – it will be worth it!

LU WALSH

Membership Secretary

I started running in my mid 40’s and joined the club in the winter of 2018 when I needed motivation to keep going out on the dark nights and I’ve not looked back. I didn’t enjoy sport at school. I was always with the group who hid and took short cuts during cross country! However, I have always enjoyed keeping fit through exercise classes and the gym and love the outdoors. I appreciate the support and motivation of running in a group. No matter how much you don’t want to go after a hard stressful day, you always feel great after a run. I run in a few events and enjoy 10k and the odd half marathon. I wanted to do my bit for the club so have just taken on the role of Membership Secretary. As others have said, we are a friendly club and welcome runners of all abilities. I wish I had joined years ago, so would encourage anyone who is unsure, don’t be put off, join us in our beautiful surroundings and see how you get on!

ROBERT RICHARDS

Club Coach

ROB HICKS

Youth Coach

ORC is a big part of my life! I coach the junior section which currently has 35 children (including my own 3) training over 3 sessions a week. We run as an athletics club, developing the children’s running, throwing, and jumping. Those children who want to can take part in open athletics meetings, local junior fell races, and the Westwood League cross country. I also enjoy taking my 3 boys to park runs on Saturday mornings. For the adults, most Wednesdays I take out an evening moor run. We run from a pub or carpark somewhere on the northern moor for 90 mins or so. It is a mixed group of people who love running on the moor. I am always proud to wear my orc vest when racing and I like to take part in fell races and ultra marathons.

ANNE BINNS

Welfare Officer

I took up running late in life (age 45) because I wanted to be fit at 50. I was unfit and needed to lose weight. I joined ORC in Sept 2012. The club gave me the confidence to believe in myself and taught me that anyone can run a marathon. I was lucky to get a club place in London Marathon 2014. A year later I achieved a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon which will always be special to me. I always intended to give something back to the club and when the need for a Welfare Officer arose I thought I had better offer my services. I am joint trained RNMH and qualified social worker with over 27 years experience of statutory social work. As Welfare Officer I am committed to driving the safeguarding agenda. I strive to ensure the club is inclusive and fully accessible to all.

EMMA JEWELL

Vice Chair

Since an early age, I have thoroughly enjoyed being active and am rarely found standing still. As a child I was (initially) dragged by my mum to the local park run, which is something I grew to love and still really enjoy. School cross country caused me to fall out of love with running due to the seriousness and cutthroat nature and so it took me a few more years after leaving school to feel comfortable enough to join a ‘running club’ as I felt it would be way too serious and I wouldn’t be good enough.

In 2023, I moved to Devon and got involved in ORC within a few days of moving here. It has allowed me to feel like a real part of the community and I have met so many lovely people through the club and some lifelong friends. I love the inclusive nature, there really is a group for everyone, no matter your ability and they will always be there to cheer you on. The club has allowed me to really find my love of running again, without feeling stressed about times or stats, just enjoying piling up the miles and enjoying the beautiful Dartmoor scenery.  I am now very excited to become part of the committee and can’t wait to get more involved in the years to come.

MATT GRINT

I started casually running in my late teenage years, enjoying the community atmosphere of the local parkrun. At university I took part in my first race on campus which gave me the bug – I loved the atmosphere and encouragement from like-minded people. I joined my local running club in Oxfordshire before moving to Devon in 2021 and then not running much at all since then if I’m honest! Fast forward a few years I took part in the Drogo 10 in 2023 which gave me the nudge to start running regularly again and I joined ORC that same week as a way of socialising and exercising at the same time.

The club has become so much more than I thought it would and a year later I have run a few races (for fun, not to win!) and now here I am on the committee… The club is so welcoming – I urge everyone to come along and see where you end up.