OKEHAMPTON Running Club has held its second Handicap race over a 5k course through Abbeyford Woods. Members have been taking part in the club's one mile time trials during the summer months.

A finish time was estimated from these results for a 5k distance. Runners were given appropriate start times so that everyone could finish at the same time. This gave the less experienced members a good chance to beat the fastest runners of the club.

The handicappers did a good job as everyone finished within 90 seconds of each other. The winner was Claire Poulter. This was a useful warm up for Claire for when she runs in the Windsor Half Marathon in a few weeks' time.

Another event ORCs took part in was The Doone Run.

Hosted by North Devon Road Runners this was a tough ten miler with an ascent of over 2,000 feet. The overnight rain gave way to pleasant sunshine before the runners set off, but conditions were slippery in places.

The race starts in Lynmouth with a steady climb up the wooded valley to Watersmeet, continuing upwards above Lynton where runners were treated to glorious views before a welcome descent past Lee Abbey, through the picturesque Valley of Rocks, then a narrow path on the side of a cliff with a sheer drop to the sea before crossing over the cliff railway to the finish.

Okehampton Running Club member, Marilyn Cooper, took part completing in 1 hour 47 minutes 41 seconds to win the FV55 category. There was a good turn out from neighbouring Torrington Athletics Club with Ian Gooding finishing second overall and the Club taking the team prize.