A BUSY weekend of racing saw Okehampton Running Club members racing in four different venues.

Nearest home were the runners who only had to make the short trip to Tavistock to run the Tavy 13 half marathon. Five ORC’s took part with Roger Voaden being the first home for the club in 1 hour 25 minute 46 seconds to finish ninth overall and second male veteran 50.

Chris Aylen was next, running his first race for 18 months and pleased to finish in 2.06.02, followed by Caroline Wilson in 2.13.09, then Lora Medland and Nicola Smith finishing together in 2.14.21.

Slightly further away four ORCs took part in the Age UK 10k in Exeter. This 10k, unlike many that are run entirely along the Quay and Riverside Park, actually started in the city centre and made its way down to the quayside. It then followed the flat stretch along beside the river and canal before eventually finishing at the Piazza Terracina. As part of the charity’s 30th anniversary of supporting older people in Exeter, this year’s race was a ‘Retro Run’ with participants encouraged to run in retro fancy dress.

First club member home was Ged Fitzgibbon with a great run in 51.24 to come 3rd MV65. Rachael Haydon was next, improving on her run here last year by 3 minutes, to finish in 56.11 and set a new PB. She was followed by Jane Richardson in 1.00.42 and Charlotte Williams in 1.06.33.

The Forest of Dean was the destination of three more ORCs to run the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon. This multi-terrain event utilises well maintained forest trails, old railway line and some road. With conditions dry underfoot and the trees giving some protection from a blustery wind the runners enjoyed a good day. First home for Okehampton was Mags Jarvis in a good time of 2.09.08, followed by Katy Speak in 2.10.38 and Janet White in 2.21.25.

Hugh Robinson took a trip to his former hometown to run the Reading Half Marathon. This is a huge event with more than 10,000 runners taking on a fast, flat course that finishes in the Madejski Stadium, the home of Reading FC. Hugh set his half marathon PB on this course five years ago and never expected to improve on it, but a season of training with Okehampton has seen his times improve and he ran a great race to finish in 1.22.37, and set a new PB by 1min 36sec.