OKEHAMPTON Running Club members took to the hills and trails earlier this month competing in cross country events on Exmoor and at Honiton.

Greg Miller and Mervyn Rice travelled to North Devon for the Endurance Life Coastal Trail Series 10K. They both train regularly on Dartmoor so were well able to deal with the Exmoor course which is regarded as the toughest course in the series and is a real test of endurance for even the most seasoned trail and fell runners. The route included stiff climbs on open moorland and deep coombes, with a stretch of coastline taking in the beautiful Valley of Rocks. Merv finished in a good 35th overall place in 1hr 11mins 48secs and Greg in 1.20.08. Merv's wife, Susie, also took part and was over the line in 1.49.24. Merv and Susie each won their MV55 and FV50 categories – a first husband and wife double for ORC.

The scenery at the Honiton Hippo may not have been quite so dramatic but there were still some steep hills to cope with - the deep mud and wading through rivers on the seven mile route providing the hippo element.

Several members turned out for this one with Paul Crease producing a strong run which placed him an excellent eighth overall in 57.12. Harrison Baker and his father, Mike, train with Okehampton as their second club. Harrison was fourth overall in 54.52 with Mike finishing in 1.04.34.

Jo Binns thoroughly enjoyed her first trail run finishing in 1.21.21 declaring her shoes to be much heavier than when she started! Her father Jon, joined in too finishing in 1.16.58.

Special congratulations are due to Rebecca Clulow, Nicola Cook, Gemma Cole and Rachel Bolt for whom this was their first ever race and as far as some as them had ever run. They were joined by Wendy Abbott who was following up her Bideford half marathon personal best. Rebecca finished in 1.49.23 with the rest of group crossing the finish line together in 1.50.46.

The friendly marshals and good organisation by Honiton Running Club, said the ORCs, made this an enjoyable event.