THE Spring marathon season kicked off at the weekend with the Brighton and Manchester Marathons.

The Brighton Marathon has grown rapidly since the inaugural race five years ago and has now become one of the top running events in the UK, while the Manchester Marathon which starts from Old Trafford is one of the flattest and fastest in the country with only 54 feet of ascent over the 26.2 miles.

Thousands of spectators lined the streets to cheer on the runners providing a great atmosphere.

Members of Okehampton Running Club were at both events with Cathy Carey and Jo Fletcher among the runners at Brighton. Cathy ran her best marathon yet to finish in 4hrs 05mins 32secs. It was doubtful that Jo would be able to run when she injured her ankle just five days before the race. She took the decision to start and was going well until half way when the leg began to give trouble, slowing her right down. Having raised money in sponsorship for Cancer Research Jo was determined to finish and bravely carried on to complete in 5.03.35.

At Manchester Rob Kelly and Stuart May ran good times, with Rob completing in 3.23.10 and Stuart, who was taking part in his first marathon for 17 years, finishing in 4.01.07 – a superb effort from all four of them.

Something completely different and nearer home was the Honiton Hippo, a popular race of about seven miles with plenty of variety – including a run around the Awliscombe Landrover Experience involving several muddy soakings, with a strapping fireman to help the 250 runners out of the deepest river!

A group of five ladies from ORC went wallowing through the mud and water with Katie Littlejohns finishing first for ORC in a good time of 1.13.47 followed by Nicola Cook 1.37.08, Gemma Cole 1.45.57, Nicola Pedrick 1.48.25, Wendy Abbott 1.48.25, all having loved every minute!