ON a cold, wet Thursday morning, more than 200 West Devon school children took part in the annual Okehampton Community and Recreation Association cross country competition at Castle Drogo.

Paula Clarke, communities officer for Castle Drogo, invites the schools every year to take part in what is a tough but scenic race and usually there are activities afterwards, run by the Castle Drogo Rangers and OCRA coaches. It was decided to forgo the activities this year due to the inclement weather.

Fifteen schools were represented — South Tawton, Mary Tavy and Brentor, Lydford, Bridestowe, Milton Abbot, Boasley Cross, St Andrew’s, Gulworthy, Exbourne, Okehampton, Lew Trenchard, Chagford, Hatherleigh, St Peter’s and Whitchurch — by 21 teams of girls and 20 teams of boys.

The first three girls back were Orla White (St Peter’s), Lamorna Cox (St Andrew’s) and Nell Maguire (Whitchurch). St Andrew’s A won the team event, followed by St Peter’s then South Tawton A.

The first three small schools were Lew Trenchard, Exbourne and Gulworthy.

Dan Lindsay (St Andrew’s) won the boys’ race. He was followed in by Daniel of Hatherleigh and Bertie Rowe of Chagford.

St Andrew’s also won the team event. Chagford were runners-up and Hatherleigh were third.

Small school top three finishers were Milton Abbot, Mary Tavy and Brentor and Bridestowe.

Organisers expressed thanks to all those involved in the event — the volunteer marshals, the Okehampton College ‘hares’, the parents and teaching staff who supported and to the Castle Drogo staff.