IT was a busy weekend of racing for members of Okehampton Running Club.

Claire Sprague and Janet White travelled to Gloucestershire to run the Forest of Dean half marathon — an entirely off-road race using forest trails.

For Janet, this was her first half marathon having only started running a couple of years ago and it was Claire’s first off-road. They both enjoyed themselves, despite the tough, hilly course, at least having the benefit of shade from the trees on a hot day.

Janet completed in 2 hours 30 minutes 03 seconds and Claire in 2.46.57.

Nearer home the club was well represented at the Barnstaple marathon and half marathon. Despite the flat nature of this course, its coastal location means it can be affected by the weather and here there was no shelter from the sun; this took its toll on the runners who also faced a head-wind in the closing stages of the race.

There were still good results with Andrew Vallance putting in a good run to finish fourth in the half marathon in a time of 1.20.39.

Husband and wife Andy and Charlie Collyer both ran personal bests, running 1.50.58 and 1.55.15 respectively. Nicola Smith improved on her recent run in the Bristol half finishing in 2.05.57.

In the full marathon Paul Carter ran well to finish in 3.21.06 ahead of his team-mate Roger Voaden who completed in 3.37.31. He has had a long season of marathon running in his quest to achieve 50 at 50 years-old and his score now stands at 48. Peter Bollom also ran the full marathon finishing in 5.04.17.

More shade was available for off-road specialists Karen and Lucy Skye who took part in the Bovey Beauty.

The moors and woods of the Bovey valley provided the beautiful setting for this challenging self-navigating 10 miler which climbs through the woods of Lustleigh Cleave to Hunter’s Tor, returning via Trendlebeare Down and Pullabrook wood. Running together they finished in 1.54.00 to be second ladies in.