DURING May three Okehampton Running Club ladies took part in events to test different aspects of their fitness. Marilyn Cooper and Mags Jarvis competed in the Exe Valley Triathlon (swim, bike, run) while Christine Fritsch kept to just one discipline, taking part in a 112-mile bike race.

Christine's event was called the Fred Whitton challenge and was held in the Lake District.

This is a tough route and is described by riders as the hardest one day ride in the UK. The event includes all the Lakeland passes, one with a 30% gradient and this comes at 98-miles. Only 5% of the riders were women and Christine finished in 9 hours 40 minutes in 47th place out of the 110 female riders. This was an excellent effort and Christine also raised more than £500 for MacMillan Cancer Care.

Meanwhile Mags and Marilyn only travelled to Tiverton for their event. As it was Mags' first triathlon she raced in the novice race and finished in 82 minutes 20 seconds coming in the first (and only) competitor aged 60 and over.

Marilyn took part in the sprint event and finished second in the female 60-69 category, in 1 hour 42 minutes 20 seconds.