TO mark the end of the summer's training sessions more than 30 Okehampton Running Club members took part in its first handicap race. The runners completed the 5K course involving two laps of forest tracks in Abbeyford Wood's just outside Okehampton.
Each runner had an individual start time carefully worked out from the one mile time trials they had completed over the summer. This meant that runners from all four ability groups could compete against each other with a fair chance of winning the race. It was a great opportunity to bring the different groups in the club together for some competitive fun.
It was Lisa Veale who crossed the finish line first followed by Jackie Rice and Roger Voaden, in third position. Lisa only joined the club in April, completed the Ruby Run half marathon in a respectable time of 1hr 58mins 39secs and now holds the clubs handicap title. She was also rewarded with the Inov-8 voucher as a prize to be able to buy a new pair of off-road trainers!
Kirstin Phippard, a spokesman for the club, said: 'Okehampton Running Club is open to new members of all abilities from complete beginners to the more advanced runner. We are a friendly group who all run to achieve our own goals while enjoying the sociable aspects of being members of a club.'
All four ability groups are lead by trained coaches and meet at Okehampton Argyle Football Club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.