EIGHT Okehampton Running Club members took part in the Age UK 10K in Exeter on Sunday.

This is a fast course which starts in Princesshay and runs downhill to Exeter Quay where the runners do an out and back beside the River Exe before finishing on the quay.

For two ORCs it was their first race having joined the club with the beginners group in the autumn and they surprised themselves, both with their times and with the fact they actually enjoyed it.

First home for the club was Andrew Thorne in a good time of 45.14 with Mark Hawkins not far behind running a PB in 46.34. Mark has taken up running again after gap of about 30 years and is enjoying being part of the running scene again.

First lady ORC to finish was Nicola Smith with another PB run in 51.26, just in front of Ged Fitzgibbon in 51.37, Lauren Ausden in 52.10 and Lora Medland in 52.40 who was thrilled to run a PB after coming back from injury.

The two first-timers ran really well with Rachel Hayden finishing in under an hour at 59.22 with Vicky Hall soon after in 1.01.49.