IT was a busy weekend of events for Okehampton Running Club members and a very hot one too for racing.

At the Ocean City Plymouth Half Marathon six Okehampton runners took to the city streets where there was little shade. First home for the club was Hayden Bond, continuing his improvement since joining the club to set a new personal best of 1.33.47. Gaz Williams was next, running a great race to finish in 1.58.35. Close behind was Mike Westland in 1.58.42, followed by a relative newcomer to the club although not to running, Paul Evison, whose time of 2.00.56 was a new PB by five minutes. As one of the older newcomers, being in the MV60 category, he was pleased to find that running with the club has improved his times. Cam Whitelaw was slightly disappointed with his time of 2.11.31.Daniella Bryant finished in 3.01.01.

At the Exeter marathon the flat three lap course is mainly on the paths and cycleways beside the canal and River Exe. Here seven runners flew the flag for Okehampton, with good results, especially given the heat. Veteran Paul Carter was the first ORC home in 3.07.45 to be second MV50. Andy Vallance had a good run too finishing in 3.11.33 ahead of Roger Voaden in 3.15.14. Just one runner separated Roger from Hugh Robinson, who has struggled with an injury in the later stages of his training and was therefore happy to finish fairly comfortably in 3.15.47. Andy Thorne was the next ORC home in 3.55.42. He was followed by Anne Binns who bettered her own club age category record by finishing in 4.06.25. Anne has been plagued by health problems and this was the first time she has returned to her more usual performance. Geoff Hill won the club’s prize for the most injured runner at their recent awards evening where he was presented with an inflatable walking frame! He completed the course in 4.42.17, 1hour 22minutes slower than his PB.

Another popular race was the Crediton Crunch where four ORCs took part in the multi-terrain race organised by Crediton Running Network in aid of the charity Hospiscare. At just under six miles the course is a hilly one along country lanes, footpaths and includes an off-road motocross course. Alec Robinson was the first ORC home in 43.59, followed by Jo Page in 48.00. Tom Andrew struggled with the heat finishing in 52.06 with Caroline Wilson coming home in 1.04.41.

Earlier in the week Jo Bradford entered the Crystal Palace Chase the Sun 5k where she had another great run, setting a new PB for this distance by coming home in 23.43, to be fourth female.

Two ORCs took part in 5k races on Saturday morning with Mags Jarvis running the Tavy 5kool 5k and new member Jo Drew trying out her first Parkrun at the Tamar Lakes. Jo set herself a new PB of 32.38. Mags improved on both her 5k runs last year to get her diamond award, finishing in 26.00 at the monthly 5kool race in Tavistock.

ORC Katie Littlejohns ran in the Race the Tide organised by Puretrail Running. Katie took part in the long half marathon (16 miles). Running through the beautiful Flete estate, it involves two estuary crossings where they have to beat the incoming tide. Katie had a great run, finishing in 2.22.26 to come third lady and 11th overall.