Club News by Karin Kirk news@octavian-droobers.org
BRITISH CHAMPIONS
The Lake District was this year’s venue for the British Long Distance Championships, British Relay Championships and the Kendal Urban event. A large number of club members joined 1700 runners and experienced some fine weather and excellent terrain high up on Eskdale at Dalegarth at the Long Distance event. Two juniors, Harrison McCartney and his sister Ella-Rose McCartney were awarded championship trophies.
Congratulations go to Ella-Rose who won the W12 championship in 27.42mins on the 2.76k course, over 5 minutes ahead of nearest rival, and Harrison who won the M14 class, 5.35k long with 210 metres of climb, in 35.58mins.
Stepping up to the podium with excellent runs were Sheila Carey W65 who came 2nd in 60.29mins on the 5.3k course with 210 metres of climb, and three third place winners: Hilary Simpson W70, 81.18mins on the 4.47k course with 205 metres of climb, Sophie Kirk W20 Elite, 71.25mins on the 7.55k course with 365 metres of climb and Andy Simpson M35, 82.26mins on the 11k course with 530 metres of climb. Other good runs were 4th places for Julie Emmerson on the W16 course and for Anne Straube W35 and 5th place for Lesley Ross W45.
At the British Relays held at Helsington Barrows, near Kendal, 30 club members entered to make up 10 teams of 3 competitors in each. In the women’s short class Sophie Kirk, Julie Emmerson and Lesley Ross were the first team back and claimed the winner’s trophy. In the ad hoc mixed relay competition Calum Barnetson, Aimee Morse and Heather Rogers were also the fastest team.
On the third day club members ran through the streets of Kendal on the Urban race and Mike Hampton won the men’s ultra vet 4.5k competition in 37.05mins, 3mins ahead of the next runner and Sheila Carey came 2nd in the women’s ultra vet 2.7k event in 34.19mins.
Chris Mackenzie staged a very well attended event, 91 entries, at Warwick University, and brothers Luke and John Cherry came 1st and 2nd on the Yellow course with Sophie Oliver 3rd. On the Light Green course Jeremy Knott M16 was 1st in 35.15mins, Josh Jelley M16 2nd 36.49mins and Ellie Beach W16 3rd 45.45mins. Suzanne Humphries W45 came 1st on the Green course in 35.57mins, Andy Cherry M40 was 2nd in 36.29mins and Delia Kingsbury W45 from Wrekin Orienteers 3rd in 39.28mins. On the long Blue course Iain Botheroyd M40 was 1st in 37.58mins, John Embrey M50 Harlequins 2nd 39.21mins and Chris McCartney M40 3rd in 39.35mins.
8th May 2012
WET WEATHER NO DETERRENT
Intrepid orienteers travelled to Forest of Dean to compete in the annual BOK Trot event organised by Bristol Orienteering Klub. Over 500 competitors braved the driving wind and rain running through the forest and across swollen and fast flowing streams.
Top 5 positions were achieved by: Andy Simpson M35 5th on the long Black 12k course with 470 metres of climb in 89.07mins, Hamish Rogers M16 3rd in 56.39mins and Harrison McCartney M14 5th in 57.16mins on the Blue 6.6k course with 245 metres of climb, Bruce Bryant M55 5th on the Short Blue 5.4k course with 220 metres of climb in 58.34mins. Julie Emmerson W16 was the top club runner on the day and came 1st on the Green 4.5k course with 170 metres of climb in 42.12mins.
Congratulations are also due to Julie as she has been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Youth Orienteering Championships to be held in June at Bugeat in France.
Phil Kirk organised the Charlecote Park event and introduced a maze to add interest to the courses. Several newcomers took part including the 1st Wellesbourne Scouts. First timers Susanna Brown and Rachel Hawkins won the Yellow 2k course in 20.22mins and scout Matt Woodhouse came 2nd in 22.01mins ahead of younger brother Dan Woodhouse 25.20mins. Club members took the first three places on the Orange 3.2k course: Tom Lea M18 22.34mins, Joshua Jelley M16 24.15mins and Suzanne Humphries W45 25.03mins. Only seconds separated the top competitors on the Green 4.2k course as Chris McCartney M40 was 1st in 22.25mins, John Embrey M50, Harlequins Club, 22.43mins and 3rd Harrison McCartney M14 22.57mins.
This weekend many club members will be competing in the British Orienteering Championships which will be held in the Lake District. The individual championship will be held in Eskdale and the Relay Championship near Kendal.
1st May 2012