AFTER continual rain all day in Bude, the weather gods were kind and the rain stopped, the clouds cleared and the Bude Lifeboat Run took place on a beautiful, sunny evening last Wednesday.

There was a smaller contingent of Okehampton Running Club participants than in some previous years, but they all enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and lovely scenery that makes this race one that runners return to year after year. The multi terrain course takes the runners out of Bude along the canal towpath and marshes on tarmac paths before crossing the canal and running up through the fields of Whalesborough Farm.

At the top of the climb, and at the furthest point from home, they have a wonderful view over Widemouth Bay, before heading downhill back to the farm and along the towpath to the finish on the rugby field.

Debbie Marsden was the first ORC home in a fast time of 41 minutes 24 seconds, to be fourth lady and winner of the FV35-39 age group. Jo-Anne Fletcher put in a great run to finish in 46.32, giving her third place in her age category female veteran 40-44, while Charlotte Radnor and Mervyn Rice had a race for the line with Charlotte just pipping Mervyn by one second in 48.26 and 48.27 respectively.

Anne Binns, with the Ruby Run still in her legs, finished strongly in 50.21, and Jane Jackson also had tired legs after running the Yeovil Marathon on the Sunday, but completed in 51.47 to win the FV60-64 group. Carole Cornwall ran well to finish in 1.02.27 with Janet White not that far behind taking third place in the FV65 plus category in 1.03.42. Claire Sprague and Sarah Bell ran the whole race together, enjoying their first Lifeboat Run and finishing in 1.09.02.

The following Saturday the Burrator Horseshoe was held as part of the Meavy Oak Fair with three Okehampton runners taking part in this scenic, challenging moorland run. Starting and finishing on Meavy village green, the runners take in the summits of Sheepstor and Guttor Tor before returning via Ringmoor Down and Meavy River Ford.

Okehampton’s Rob Hicks must be familiar with much of Dartmoor, being well into his challenge to run all 365 square miles of it in a year, but he completed this part a bit quicker than most, finishing in an impressive 42.08 to come third overall. Paul Crease did not hang about either and was fifth in 45.02 with Mervyn Rice, still recovering from a cycling injury, finishing in 58.20.