SPRING sunshine greeted the runners for the Granite Way races on Sunday. With the option of 10 or 20 miles there was a good turnout for both races.

Starting from Okehampton Station, most of the race is traffic-free on the Granite Way cycleway, the runners doing an out and back on for the 10 miles and the 20 milers repeating this. Many of those running the 20 miler were using it as part of their training for upcoming marathons.

Okehampton Running Club’s Andy Vallance lead the race from start to finish coming home first for the second year in succession in a great time of 2hrs 04mins 03secs, four minutes ahead of clubmate Roger Voaden. Anne Binns was the first lady ORC home in 2.57.00, setting a new age group club record for the distance.

For four runners Jackie Dawes, Claire Stanbury, Lucy Brint and Emma Kellerher it was the furthest they had ever run, all training for their first ever marathons in London. There were more good results in the 10 miler with six personal best’s set by Chris Turner who was fifth overall, Stuart May, Mike Baker, Heidi Wills, Janet White and Chris Fullford Brown who also set a new MV60 club record. Charlotte Radnor ran a strong race to come third lady in a time of 1.20.29.

ORC times: 20 miles - Andy Vallance 2.04.03, Roger Voaden 2.08.04, Paul Carter 2.17.36, David Mugliston 2.37.48, Anne Binns 2.57.00 (CR), Claire Stanbury 3.13.18, Jackie Dawes 3.13.18, Deborah Cunningham 3.23.57, Lucy Brint 3.35.30, Emma Kelleher 3.35.30.

10 miles ; Chris Turner 1.04.34 (PB), Andy Vernon !.07.47, Stuart May 1.08.31 (PB), Mike Baker 1.09.23 (PB), Charlotte Radnor 1.20.29, Mark Hawkins 1.20.43, Chris Fullford Brown 1.20.29 (PB &CR), Heidi Wills 1.31.36 (PB), Caroline Wilson 1.34.15, Carole Cornwall 1.36.16, Jo Anne Fletcher 1.36.16, Janet White 1.39.30, Jessica Corcoran 1.46.08.

Further afield, two Okehampton runners took on the challenging Grizzly in south Devon. It was the first time that Christine Fritsch and Sarah Haigh had run this tough 20 mile multi terrain race famous for its steep climbs, pebble beach and bog to get through. Both had trained well for it so it was disappointing when Sarah injured her hamstring at mile 14 meaning they had to walk the rest of the way in. They were still in good spirits however when they finished in 5.08.47

Even further away another ORC, Mags Jarvis, ran the Trafford 10k with both her daughters. This is a very popular race with international runners taking part on a fast course. Mags ran well finishing fourth in her FV60 age category in a time of 54.58, and 11 seconds ahead of one of her daughters.