BRITISH INDIVIDUAL AND RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
This year the Championships were held in Northumberland. The individual event saw competitors running through some very, complex, steep and varied terrain in Thrunton Woods and Callally. Congratulations to Graham Gristwood M21 who emerged as the British Champion taking 1.42.49mins on the 14.1k course with 530 metres of climb. He is an honorary member of Octavian Droobers club, and is now a member of Forth Valley Orienteers, having been instrumental in training many of our juniors and running the Warwick University Orienteering Club.
A terrific run by Andy Simpson saw him crowned champion of the M40 class taking 79.50mins on the 9.5k course with 350 metres of climb. Two club juniors came second in their class, a great achievement: Harrison McCartney M16 62.07mins on the 6.9k course and Julie Emmerson W18 Elite 67.56mins on the 6.7k course. Hilary Simpson also came second on her W75 3.4k course in 101.56mins. Toni Oā€™Donovan was placed 4th on the W35 6.7k course in 79.40mins. Trevor Simpson was placed 5th on the M75 championship 4.4k course in 85.32mins with 125 metres of climb.
On the Light Green 4.2k course with 120 metres of climb at the same event Rob Smart M45 came 1st in 70.09mins and Pippa Smart W12 was placed 5th on the Orange 4.2k with 110 metres of climb taking 67.21mins.
The relays at Cragg Estate were very popular and exciting to watch. OD fielded several teams and the top club place was achieved by John Bowman, Trevor and Hilary Simpson who came 4th in the M/W70 class. The M/W 12 Mini relay team of Felix, Florence and Oliver Lunn, made their debut at the British Championships and first leg runner Felix was very pleased with his 4th position, the team came 11th. Will Heaton and Pippa Smart, also first timers, with Rachel Emmerson made up the Junior Ad hoc team and finished in a very creditable 6th place.
03rd June 2014