News 3rd April 2018

WEST MIDLANDS BIG WEEKEND

With nearly 3000 competitors from all over the UK and overseas, Octavian Droobers assisted in the organisation of the annual Easter festival of orienteering, the JK2018. This year the four days of competition were held around Cannock Chase, in the West Midlands, and all clubs in the area joined forces. The stoicism of the runners and the organisers really came into play and no day was cancelled, despite the atrocious weather, even though the courses and event arenas on three days were covered in mud after overnight heavy rain and a scattering of snow.

On Good Friday there was an Urban fast sprint race which took place around MOD Stafford. Sheila Carey was the winner of the W70 class in 13.30mins on the 2.1km course.

Felix Lunn was 11^th on the M16 3.1km course in 14.46mins, Nathan Lawson tied on 9th place with Matthew Elkington on the M21E 3.9km course taking 14.09mins, Alistair Powell was 11^th on the M40 3.4km course in 16.22mins, Alistair Landels was 10^th in 12.58mins on the M50 2.8km course and Barry Elkington was 7^th in 14.23mins on the M60 2.7km course. Florence Lunn was 7^th on the W14 2.9km course in 18.15mins, Anne Straube 10^th in 15.47mins on the W40 2.6km course, Sian Gardner 11^th on the W60 2.3km course in 15.56mins and Hilary Simpson 6^th on the W75 2.1km course in 22.29mins.,    

Overall results, combining both runs on Day 2, middle distance and Day 3 long distance, saw OD club members performing well against some serious opposition. Top places by juniors were: Max Straube-Roth 7^th on the M10 courses, Henry Jeffries M12 2^nd on the M12 short courses, Felix Lunn 11^th and Oliver Flippance 14^th on the M16 courses, Alfie Bullus 5^th on the M18 Long courses. Harrison McCartney 8^th on the M20 Elite courses and Florence Lunn 12^th on the W14 courses.

Results from the senior men included an excellent 15^th position by Mathew Elkington and 16^th by Nathan Lawson on the M21 Elite courses, with only a minute between them. Other overall senior men’s results: 15th place for David Chandler on the M21 Short courses, 5^th for Paul Gregson on the M35 short courses, Alistair Powell 5^th on the M40 Long courses, Tom Jeffries 15^th on the M45 Long courses, Alistair Landels 3^rd on the M50 Long courses, Kevin Ross 12^th on the M55 Short courses and Barry Elkington 7^th on the M60 Long courses.

Combined results on the senior women’s courses saw Rachel Emmerson 5^th on the W21 Long courses, Anne Straube 4^th on the W35 Long courses, Lesley Ross 4^th on the W50 Long courses, Sheila Carey 2^nd on the W70 Long courses and Hilary Simpson 4^th on the W75 courses.

The interclub relays on Day 4 saw some more good results with Mike Hampton, Sheila Carey and Barry Elkington winning the Ultra Veterans relay race. Matthew Elkington, Duncan Birtwistle and William Gardner were 2^nd in the JK Trophy. Oliver Lunn, Oliver Flippance and Felix Lunn were 2^nd in the Intermediate Men’s relay. Julie and Rachel Emmerson and Kirsten Strain came in 9^th place in the Women’s Trophy. Alistair Powell, Richard Gardner and Alistair Landels were 11^th in the Senior Mens Relay. Lesley Ross, Juliette Soulard and Anne Straube were 5^th in the Senior Womens relay race.

WM Junior running through the woods at Brereton Spurs, Cannock Chase, on Day 2 of the JK2018, organised by Octavian Droobers.

3rd April 2018