LAST Sunday was a busy day for members of Okehampton Running Club, who took part in the Bideford Half Marathon, the Duchy 20 and the notorious Grizzly.
Nine Okehampton Running club (ORC) members enjoyed the Bideford race and achieved some excellent times - David Muglistan 1.27.36 Mervyn Rice 1.57.44 Darren Duffy 1.40.34 Jo-Anne Fletcher 1.46.35 Katy Speak 2.06.56 and Charlotte Arthur 1.54.03.
Club runners Greg Miller (1.49.53) and Marilyn Cooper (1.57.17) used the race as part of their London Marathon training plan and are among ten club members to be competing this year in the capital. Philippa Allom achieved a great time of 2.07.17 after suffering almost 10 months of injuries following last year's race.
Five ORC members completed the 20 mile Duchy race. Andrew Vallance finished in sixth position overall in 2.07.56, followed by Roger Voaden in 2.10 and Bryan Friend in 2.20.55.
The club's ladies finished in 58th and 59th positions with times of 2.44.41 for Kirstin Phippard and 2.45.13 for Joanna Daniel and were the seventh and eighth ladies home.
This year's Grizzly had a turnout of over 1,490 runners for the 20 mile run from Seaton in East Devon to Branscombe. It is renowned as one of the toughest runs in the UK and to complete the course is an achievement itself.
ORCs Gavin Punchard was 42nd in 2.52.14, followed by Paul Bartlett 3.00.45, Jean-Paul Quertier 3.28, Jacky Rice 3.40, Mike Rice 3.47 and Wendy Manfield 4.45. Rachel Short completed the cub run in 1.28 and was the fifth lady home.
* For further information on the club go to their website http://www.okehamptonrunningclub.com">www.okehamptonrunningclub.com