BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS, RELAYS AND TAMWORTH URBAN

This weekend the British Individual Championships and Relay Championships were held at Brown Clee Hill, on the Burwarton Estate, Shropshire. Harlequins Orienteering Club organised the individual race on Saturday. Congratulations to Octavian Droobers club members for some great runs on some very tough terrain and in very inclement weather, snow, hail and wind.

The Men’s champion was Graham Gristwood, an ex Droober who is now a member at Forth Valley Orienteers in Scotland, taking 86.47mins, also on the Mens Open 14.4km course with a massive 635metres of climb was Matthew Elkington who came 6th finding the 35 controls in 1.45.24mins.

Julie Emmerson was crowned W20 Elite British Champion on the 7.175km course taking 52.49mins and Sheila Carey  the British Champion on the 4.25km W70 Long course taking 69.50mins.

Podium places were won by:  Club Captain Alistair Powell 2nd on the M35Long 9.775km course in 84.13mins, Hilary Simpson 2nd on the W75 3.55km course in 100.17mins, Harrison McCartney 3rd on the M18Elite 9.775km course in 73.28mins, Anne Straube 3rd on the W40Long 7.175km course in 79.58mins and Lesley Ross 3rd on the W50 Long 6.125km course in 77.11mins

Other top 10 places were awarded to Oliver Lunn joint 5th in 45.09mins and Felix Lunn 7th in 46.07mins on the M14A 5.2km course. Sophie Kirk 5th on the W21 Elite 9.2km course with 410 metres of climb in 92.38mins, Sue Bicknell 6th on the W70 Long 4.25km course in 97.22mins, Peter Carey 8th on the M70 Long 5.725km course in 75.28mins and Florence Lunn 8th on the W12A 3.5km course in 43.30mins. Ben Flippance was 3rd on the M35 short 6.275km course in 112.50mins and John Bowman 8th on the M70Short 3.55km course in 87.26mins.

On Sunday at the British Relays, organised by Octavian Droobers, the club M14 trio of Oliver Lunn, Oliver Flippance and Felix Lunn became British Champions. They were nearly 4 minutes ahead of the Bristol Orienteering team.   Mike Hampton, Peter and Sheila Carey were winners of the M/W70 class taking 111.21mins only 8 seconds ahead Wrekin Orienteers. Matthew Elkington with two other University of Sheffield runners narrowly missed winning the Mens Premier race by 20 seconds. Pippa Smart, Tabitha Lunn and Florence Lunn were 6th in the W14 relay race as were Peter  Markham, Josie Smart and Finley Flippance in the M/W12 Mini Relay.

On Monday Walton Chasers Orienteering Club held an Urban event around Tamworth Town and Peter Markham M12 won the 12 and under junior 1.4km course taking 9.39mins and Chris Markham M10 was 4th in 16.33mins.  Chris McCartney won the 40+ 5.4km course in 33.52mins and Sheila Carey was 2nd on the 65+ 3.9km course in 33.30mins.

3rd May 2016