WHILE most runners’ attention was focused on the London Marathon last weekend, there were some other races going on and Okehampton Running Club members out there competing in them.

In Southampton there were three races, a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10k and Okehampton had a runner in both the marathon and the half. Yet again the weather affected the performance of the runners, but instead of rain or snow it was the heat that made for uncomfortable running conditions this time.

Roger Voaden ran the marathon, a two lap course of the half marathon, finding it hot and tough going but still enjoying the run and finishing in 3 hours 35 minutes 09 seconds, while in the half, Jo Page ran herself a personal best, just a week after setting it at the Tavy 13, coming home in 1.47.53.

Much further away Mags Jarvis decided that as the Bodmin 5 Tors was cancelled this year she would try a challenge with much more climbing and greater distance not too far from her daughter’s home, called the Clwydian 10. 

The Clwydian Hills are in north east Wales and the famous Offa’s Dyke runs along the ridge. The highest point is Moel Famau at 554 metres. The race was just a bit short of ten miles with 3,000 ft of climbing.

Thankfully here the temperature was much less than in Southampton, at a comfortable 13C and luckily they finished before some heavy showers. Mags ran with her daughter Sarah on the whole route, finding the race small, friendly and scenic. They finished in 2.21 with Mags being 15th out of the 39 ladies taking part and first Woman 60.

Okehampton Running Club also had seven members running the London Marathon and there will be a report on how they all fared next week.