THE main event for runners from the Okehampton Running Club last week was The Age UK Exeter 10K Retro Run which started and finished on the Exeter Quay.

The run made its way through Riverside Valley Park, Double Locks pathway, Bridge Road, Mill Road and Mill Lane, Northbrook Golf Course and the beautiful woodland leading to Salmon Pool Lane Bridge, Duckes Marsh, Belle Isle Park and Exeter Quay.

Seven ORCs ran this race some of whom wore retro shirts; Mike Baker was first ORC home in 45 minutes 37 seconds; Emma Cunnington ran in 1 hour 05 minutes 50 seconds; Jackie Dawes was first in her age category, a personal best with a time of 49.26. Tracey Mills and Rachel Holland who are nursing recent injuries braved the race and came out unscathed with a great time of 1.01.19; Karen King achieve another strong time with 48.49 and Jane Richardson who came in first for her age category F65 in an superb time of 1.01.52

One Okehampton Running Club member, Andrew Vernon completed the Burrator Horseshoe Run, which is a part of the annual Meavy Oak Fair. Andrew finished in a good (unofficial) time of 48.30.

Last Wednesday evening saw the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular Bude Lifeboat Run. The 6 mile course changed last year to avoid congestion in the early stages and is slightly shorter now but with an extra hill in it.

ORCs had a smaller turnout here than usual with several would-be runners missing out when entries filled up so quickly, but those who took part put up some great performances.

First home for the club in a great time of 46 minutes 26 seconds was young Issy Edworthy, now out of the junior races and running her first race over 5k. Close behind was Karen Vallance running really well despite not having raced for some time and finishing in a very good 46.43 to come second female veteran 45. The next two runners home had both completed the tough Tsunami marathon four days before, but Jo-Anne Turner found good speed in her legs still to finish in 47.16 with Jane Jackson coming home in 50.25 to take 1st FV60, while Mags Jarvis was third in the same category with her time of 51.45.

Fast improving Phil Turner was the only male representing ORC and did extremely well to knock six minutes off his course personal best, finishing in 52.31.

Katy Speak and Carole Cornwall had both run the 16mile Tsunami and much appreciated the lack of huge hills and fewer miles here to finish in 58.15 and 58.18 respectively.Mags Jarvis ran the Brunt Knott fell race in the Lake District, which was her third race in 9 days. A 5.6 mile with a 410m climb to the summit in a time of 1.12. The conditions were good for running being cloudy and mainly dry under foot. There were some excellent views of the Kentmere Valley and beyond.

An exciting talent from the Okehampton club is Eleanor Marvin, a junior member, who was selected to run the 1,500m for Devon at the South West School’s Track and Field Championships. She had a really good run against fierce competition. Her time of 5.26 was just outside her pb but good for the windy conditions.