THERE were no less than 13 Okehampton Running Club who took part in the popular Ruby Run on Sunday.

In sunshine and high temperatures the race started from Hatherleigh and ended in Holsworthy. ORC runner Roger Voaden stormed home to take second place in 1.25.10, and a UKA gold award while Karen Vallance also put in an excellent performance to win the female over 35 category, coming home alongside her clubmate Claire Down in 1.54.16. to both win a uka bronze award.

Anne Binns running her first Ruby as a member of the club finished in 1.55.30 just outside her uka silver award. Richard Priday was next ORC home in 1.59.28 followed by Deborah Cunningham, running her ninth Ruby in 2.03.35 (bronze award). Brian Welham finished in 2.07.04 ahead of Alan Luffingham in 2.07.24 who also gets a bronze award. Other ORC finishers were Cathy Carey 2.08.59, Jo Camies 2.09.00, Ali Holliday 2.15.27, Jane Jackson 2.15.27 and Wendy Abbott 2.15.28.

n While many runners in Okehampton running club were resting on Saturday in preparation for the Ruby Run, one club member was putting himself through a challenge that makes a half marathon seem like a stroll in the park. Adrian Kettle ran the Endurancelife Classic Quarter, a truly brutal ultra marathon that starts from the Lizard, the southernmost point of Cornwall and finishes at the westernmost tip, Land's End. It runs along the coast path, a total distance of 44 miles of innumerable climbs and descents that add up to a total elevation gain of 4,200ft.

Only well prepared solo runners can take on this challenge which also has the option of relay teams of two or four. With the weather more suited to lying on beaches than running above them Adrian completed this gruelling race in nine hours to come 21st — a superb achievement.