ON Sunday, the Tavy 7, one of the oldest established races in the local race calendar, took place. Always a much loved and popular race, this year it was sold out well in advance of the day.

An impressive turnout from Okehampton Running Club saw 15 members take part this year in beautiful sunny, if somewhat windy conditions. Despite being on the edge of Dartmoor, the course is relatively flat and fast, with an uphill climb to just over mile two, followed by a long downhill before a gently undulating run along country lanes and open moorland.

First ORC home was Andrew Vernon in 47 minutes 52 seconds, followed by John Binns in 55.00 and the first lady ORC, Charlotte Radnor in 55.57. Other ORC times; Keri Quertier; 58.45, Abby Metherall; 58.45, Heidi Wills; 59.30, Emma Dean; 59.36, Becca Ewing; 59.36, Katy Speak; 1.02.55, Ged Fitzgibbon; 1.03.11, Lucy Brint; 1.05.15, Cathy Carey; 1.05.15, Lucy Marrison; 1.05.15, Janet White; 1.16.40 (2nd FV65). Unfortunately Lotte Smith had to retire after being stung by a wasp on her leg and needing medical attention.

Further afield Okehampton’s most prolific marathon runner, Roger Voaden, continued his autumn marathon season with a superb run at the Leicester Marathon. Despite his consistently fast times, Roger has never run a sub-three hour marathon outside of his London Marathon runs, but in good conditions he ran a terrific race to finish in 2hrs 58 mins 27secs. coming 16th overall.

Another Okehampton runner, Nick Seccombe, took on a different marathon on the same day. The Abingdon Marathon in Oxfordshre was first held 35 years ago and, over time, has built a reputation for being a fast, flat course with personal best potential, and entries are always sold out within a couple months of going on sale.

In perfect conditions Nick did achieve a PB, and, despite not having the best run-up to the marathon having only recently started at University, he had a great run to finish in 3.10.24.