WITH the ‘Beast From The East’ blowing in with its arctic winds and heavy snow, nearly all the racing fixtures for this weekend were cancelled or postponed.

The one exception to this was the final round of the Westward League series held in Redruth on Sunday.

Being the deciding round where points could make big changes in the final standings, it was important that it go ahead if at all possible, so the decision to proceed was only made Saturday afternoon when there had been enough of a thaw.

Okehampton Running Club was well placed in the standings with individuals and teams, but it had become clear that attendance at the last competition was necessary to maintain those places, so a full ladies team and two men made the long trip down the A30 to do their best.

Conditions were typical, with plenty of mud and the ladies race was blessed with sunshine but a cold wind.

First home for the ladies was the reliable Molly Marvin, pulling ahead of her mum Sarah in the last lap. Sarah too had a good run though and was very pleased to find that her efforts here had been worthwhile when she finished third in her age group.

Anne Binns had a better run than at the previous round in Plymouth to come in next but unfortunately Jane Jackson had to retire feeling unwell after one lap. Jane, Anne, Molly and Sarah are all pictured below.

In the men’s race Paul Crease (pictured) knew he had to throw everything into this run as he had some fast runners coming to do their fifth race to count here and threatening his position in his age group. Halfway through their race the heavens opened depositing an unpleasant mix of hail and rain, but Paul continued to run an impressive and gutsy race which finally saw him also come a very credible third in his age group.

Andy Humberstone was the only other ORC male to run and was pleased to have completed at all six of the fixtures in his first time running the League and finishing ninth in his age category.