WHILE West Devon was deluged by heavy rain and thunder the sun shone on the Indian Queens' Half Marathon in Cornwall organised by Newquay Road Runners.

The race attracted more than 700 entries including a number of people from away who took part while on holiday. The course is mainly flat but the hills are deceptive and most runners found them harder than they looked especially in the last couple of miles.

Three members of Okehampton Running Club took part with Roger Voaden finishing in 25th position overall and fourth in the male vet 45 category posting a time of 1hr 23mins 45secs. Marilyn Cooper finished in 1.56.19 which earned her third prize in the female vet 55 group. Brian Welham was well on target to beat his previous personal best of 1.52.04 but unfortunately, in the 11th mile, suffered from a trapped nerve and was forced to walk home which made his time 2.05.35 – but he did become the first member of ORC to go in an ambulance after a race!