OKEHAMPTON Running Club has been represented in six different marathons in the space of just five weeks — the latest member to run the 26.2 mile distance, being Derek Jackson, who ran in the North Dorset Village Marathon. An experienced marathon runner, who has taken part in several world majors, he had been advised to give up running last year. However, Derek took matters into his own hands and decided to train for yet another marathon. Due to some hip pain he was forced to slow down from his usual pace from about half way but still carried on to complete in 3 hours 44 minutes 59 seconds. Another member who has kept going against all the odds is Andy Vallance who, after heart surgery in March, then ran in the London Marathon and just three weeks after that came fourth overall from more than 300 runners in the Bere Pen 10K finishing in 39 minutes 54 seconds. Mike Seward is yet another member who refuses to give up. He ran in the same race to finish in 51.24. Meanwhile Karen and Lucy Skye, having barely recovered from their exertions in the tough Endurancelife Marathon on Exmoor, took part in the Killerton 10K with Karen completing in 54.01 second and Lucy in 54.33 and Marilyn Cooper, back from the Boston Marathon, ran in the 2.8-mile Round the Tree Race at Torrington to finish 11th in the ladies race in 23.49. In the Plymouth Half Marathon Geoffrey Hill ran a good time of 1 hour 41 mins 21secs.