OKEHAMPTON Running Club members have continued the theme from last week, meeting challenges on different terrains again, including a 55k race in the Lake District and on country estates in Cornwall and Devon. In addition some were swimming, cycling and running in two different triathlons.

The toughest challenge by far was taken up by Jane Jackson who went up to the Lake District to take part in the 55k Ultimate Trail challenge on Saturday. The race turned out to be over 59 kilometres with an incredible 6,304 feet of ascent. Jane finished it in 9 hours 34 minutes 14 seconds and was first female veteran 60 — an excellent effort. She had to withstand gale force winds, torrential downpours and hail. The route included climbing Kirkstone pass, ascent of Grisedale Hause, over Silver Howe, a tour of Little Langdale and back to Ambleside via Loughrigg Tarn.

Earlier on Chris Turner took on the challenge of the Boconnoc 5 on June 29. Boconnoc is a country estate in South East Cornwall tucked down two miles of private roads. The race was five miles long including one major ascent and descent. Along the route deer were close by, obviously impressed by the running! The course was muddy underfoot but proved to be good fun. Chris finished in 22nd place in a very creditable 35mins 18secs.

Three ORC’s went to Yelverton to run in the Six Moor Miles race on Sunday. The run was a one lap course of approximately six miles, in the picturesque surroundings of the Maristow Estate, across open moorland.

First club member to finish was Ray Lawrence who was a competitive 15th overall in 45.39 and he was first male veteran 45. Caroline Wilson finished in 1.08.32 and Jess Corcoran in 1.17.47.

Back at the end of June Denise Horner took part in the Falmouth Sprint Triathlon. This was the fourth event in the Cornwall Triathlon Series 2016, comprising a 750m swim, 23k cycle and 5k run course.

Denise had a great race and she finished the course in 1.49.24 which brought her in fourth position in the female 50-59 age group.

On Sunday Suzanne Gratton and Mags Jarvis went to Roadford to take part in the Roadford Novice Triathlon. This was Suzanne’s first triathlon and, in fact, only her second race of any type. For Mags it was her second triathlon but her first in open water. Suzanne finished in 1.22.08, placing second in the 50-59 age group. Mags completed the course in 1.15.00 and was first in the female 60-69 age group.