KATIE Littlejohns from Okehampton Running Club competed in the Great Manchester Marathon, billed as Britain's 'fastest and flattest marathon.'

She finished in a superb time of 3 hours 47 minutes 48 seconds — a personal best and a UKA silver award for her age.

As well as training hard for the event she raised money for the Christie Cancer Charity. This was Katie's second marathon having completed the distance at the Jersey Marathon six months ago.

The Plymouth Half Marathon took place the same day with nearly 3,500 runners and an estimated 20,000 people lining the route providing tremendous support for the runners. A thirty second silence for those affected by the tragic events of the Boston Marathon was held before the race was started by British Olympians heroes Heather Fell, Antony James, Tonia Crouch and Sarah Barrow.

Charlotte Radnor was the first home for ORC in 1.52.20 – a PB and a reward for all the hard work she has put in on her fitness. Anne Binns travels from Holsworthy each week to train and finished in 1.54.35 gaining a silver award. Marilyn Cooper used the race as part of her preparation for the forthcoming Edinburgh marathon and kept a steady pace to finish in 1.58.05, a gold award time and fifth FV55.

A very different type of event was the Haldon Heartbeat — an off-road race of about eight miles. An added bonus for those taking part was the presence of Olympian Jo Pavey who started the race, cheered the runners as they came in and presented the prizes. ORC fielded five runners here with Detlef Schoenfield leading them to finish in 1.07.44. Mags Jarvis was the second FV55 finishing in 1.13.40. She also managed to have a chat with Jo Pavey! Wendy Abbott completed in 1.22.57, Rebecca Simmons 1.23.36 and Beverley Dennis 1.25.17.