FIVE Okehampton runners braved appalling conditions when they took on races in the Trail Events Exmoor Challenge on Saturday.

Storm force winds and rain made keeping upright on the muddy, slippery and often flooded paths difficult and made forward motion impossible on the more exposed areas.

Carole Cornwall, Katy Speak, Jessica Corcoran and Claire Sprague entered the half marathon hoping for a run with some lovely views but the reality on the day was limited views and an extremely tough and steep, hilly course. Katy and Carole ran together and completed in 3 hours 37 minutes 13 seconds. Jessica finished on her own after her running partner Claire Sprague retired feeling unwell. Jane Jackson, in a change from her usual long distance runs, ran the 12k course, happy to finish in 1.46.15 and in one piece after being blown off her feet on a rocky section of headland.

What a difference a day made when runners at the Tavy 7 on Sunday enjoyed near perfect conditions of sunshine and a gentle breeze. First home for the club was Hayden Bond in 43.41 and first ORC lady was Emma Dean in 57.03. It was the more senior men who shone here though with Steve Sincock winning the male veteran 55 age category in 44.36, setting a new club record by more than six minutes, while Dave Bates won the MV65 in 49.10, taking eight minutes off the current club record. Andy Vernon came second in the MV50 category in 45.47 and Paul Evison was third in the MV65 group in 54.45.

Other ORC times; Richard Davies; 44.38, Mike Baker; 52.25, Merv Rice; 56.16, Jackie Dawes; 58.32, Ged Fitzgibbon; 59.46, Ellodie Stott; 1.06.19, Lotte Smith; 1.09.15, Christine Fritsch; 1.10.37, Janet White; 1.17.57.

Jo Page and Jeremy Tandy took Okehampton Running Club on tour this weekend to Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Jeremy had originally signed up for the marathon, but following injury swapped to join Jo on the 10K. Jo was first home in a time of 40.49, a personal best by 43 seconds and 31st female to cross the line while Jeremy followed in a time of 43.17.