The Forest of Dean was the venue for the Southern Championships Weekend and on Saturday afternoon several club runners travelled down to compete in the middle distance regional event staged in the Mallards Pike South area of the forest. The fast runn
able, snow covered woodlands interspersed with drainage ditches produced some fast times.
On the Brown 5.3k course Lesley Ross was 1st W40 in 51.20mins, Dave Marr 1st M55 50.16mins Sophie Kirk 1st W18 47.36mins and Ben Ross 1st M18 46.30mins. Daniel Kotecky was 3rd M16 in 42.39mins on the Blue 4.1k course. Trevor Simpson ran a fast race and was 1st M70 in 33.07mins on the Green 3.2k course. Hilary Simpson was 1st W70 in 1.01.44 and Julie Emmerson 2nd W14 in 30.23 with sister Rachael 3rd in 31.22mins.
The national event on Sunday was held at the Lydney Park estate and featured a steep sided valley with a complex areas of old mine workings, woodlands and a covering of snow. The longer courses were quite tough but several club members achieved impressive 1st places: Julie Emmerson W14A 37.34mins, Sophie Kirk W18 Elite 1.13.40, Judith Guillaume W55S 54.17mins and Hilary Simpson W70L 1hr20mins. Lesley Ross W40L was 2nd in 1.18.58, new member Marie Hauerslev W21Elite came in 3rd in 1.35.27 as did Ella Rose McCartney W10A 32.14mins and her father Chris McCartney M40L in 1.30.03. Hamish Rogers M14A came in 4th in 47.29mins.
Octavian Droobers Top the West Midlands League
Octavian Droobers are leading the league with 2721 points well ahead of nearest rivals Walton Chasers 2594 and Harlequin Orienteers 2320 in the West Midlands League. The next league event is on this Sunday at Dymock Forest, near Ross on Wye, organised by Harlequins, and the club hopes members will produce more good results.
NEXT EVENT
Octavian Droobers welcome runners and walkers to Oversley Wood, near Alcester, this Saturday, 27 February 10.30am – 12noon. Come along and try out this outdoor adventure sport with a difference. Maps and electronic timing units are supplied, bring a compass if you have one. Families and individuals of all ages 5 – 85 years are welcome to try out short easy and harder longer courses. Ring 01926 632189 or see website www.octavian-droobers.org.
