ORIENTEERING: Join Octavian Droobers to have a go near Daventry

Will Gardner has again been selected for the Great Britain squad

The West Midlands League event at Hartshill Hayes Country Park, near Nuneaton was very well attended by runners from around the midlands, including many new families. On the shortest course Imogen Allen W10 from Walton Chasers was 1st in 21.05mins. First timer Philip Ainsley M21 raced around the Yellow 2.1km course in 18.32mins. Newcomer Radovan Pekarovic M35 was 1st on the Orange 2.7km course in 35.48mins and junior Rupert Powell M12 was 4th in 51.44mins. The winner in 38.04mins on the Light Green 3.2km course was Oscar Barnby M14 from Walton Chasers and Sian Gardner W60 was 2nd in 57.34mins.

Racing round the Short Green 3.3km course was Bob Brandon M70 who won in a time of 44.27mins and Roger Hailey M80 was 4th in 57.41mins. Another fine win was had by Luke Cherry M16 on the Green 4.3km course in 40.57mins, Kirsten Strain W21 was 2nd in 43.20mins and Florence Lunn W16 3rd in 46.08mins. Chris McCartney M50 won the Blue 8.2km course in 47.31mins, Tom Jeffries M50 was 2nd in 49.02mins and Andy Emmerson M60 3rd in 51.12mins. Mike Barnby M40 from Walton Chasers won the Brown 8.2km course in 63.32mins, Felix Lunn M18 was 2nd in 67.16mins and Alistair Powell M40 3rd in 67.31mins.

British Orienteering has announced the senior international GB Squad for 2020. The club congratulates Will Gardner who will join the other 23 athletes from around the UK, 14 men and 10 women. From the squad athletes will be selected to compete in international events – World Championships, World Cups, European Orienteering Championships, World Games and World University Championships.

Octavian Droobers welcomes newcomers of all abilities to this fun adventure outdoor sport, runners and walkers, of all ages 5 – 85 years, to its next event on Saturday 15th February at Everdon Stubbs, near Daventry. A variety of courses lengths from 1.5km up to 5km through the woods have been planned. Families especially enjoy this as it is often likened to a treasure hunt. One advantage is that there is no need to pre-book your place, just turn up, anytime between 10am and 12noon, instructions will be given and compasses can be borrowed. For full details see www.octavian-droobers.org or call 01926 632189.