The orienteering event at Peak Hill and Mutters Moor, run by Devon Orienteering Club, on Sunday was blessed with dry and sunny weather, perhaps encouraging many people to come out and try the sport for the first time as well as some seasoned runners.
There was a good representation of juniors many of whom have been training regularly with club coach Tess Stone around Sidmouth, East Hill, Fire Beacon Hill and Salcombe Hill.
Kit Grierson, 17, (Ottery St Mary) put in a commendable run to come first on the brown course, 7.8km with 250m climb, in 71.4mins, whilst Joss Knight (Talaton) came second and Grey Grierson, 15, came third on the blue course 6.23km with 205m climb, in times of 62.08 and 65.05 respectively .
The younger Grierson sister and brother Dulcie, 13, and Flurry, 10, came second and fourth on the light green course in 46.09 mins and 47.58 mins respectively. Their dad Peter, also had a clean run on the 4.13km light green course in 65.56 mins.
Sam Kelly (Exmouth) came seventh in 54.16 mins while Ellie Stone was the highest placed female junior, finishing in 13th place on the blue course in 77.30mins,
On the green course, which was 4.39 km and 130m of climb, James Nicholson, 15, from Woodbury was first in 42.58 mins, Emily Keenan, 14 , from Sidmouth was the first junior female in fifth place with a time of 61.40 mins.
On the orange course which was 3.25km with 50m of climb, Sam Pyne, 11, from Otterton, came third in 32.52 mins with his dad shadowing. His sister Abi completed it in 36.08 and came in sixth, closely followed by mum Jeanette. Will Sokes, 13, from Ottery St Mary was fifth in 35.23mins, Alfie Devin-Wright from Kentisbeare came in eighth in 37.54mins and younger brother Oscar came 12th. Sidmouth’s Flick Cooper, on her first orienteering event, was ninth on this course.
Other youngsters having a go on this course included Alex Bowles (10th), Eva Lewis (11th), James Middleton (14th), Joshua Hawker (15th) and Harry Hall.
On the yellow course, which was 2.3km with 30m of climb, was Sam Pyne, third on his second course of the day. Ryley Gethling, 5, and parent from Ottery came in fourth in 29.39 mins, closely followed by Emily and Sam Lewis, 0.05 second behind, then Hannah Logan, 4, with parent 0.06 seconds later and Sidmouth’s Katie Marriot, 9, and mum, Debbie 30 seconds after that! Aimee Keast, 12, also from Sidmouth had a great run coming eighth in 31.32mins, then Millie Gething, 7, and parent, followed by Eve Logan, 7, Molly/Sobey/Abby Dennis came 12th, a team of Keasts and friends were 13th . Another walking team of Philippa Knight, Ruth Chesters and her sisters were 14th, Harriet Keenan, 5, with dog Moss and mum Barbara were 15th and Rose Dougherty, 6,and family were 16th.
Other local runners include Cathy Perree (Ottery St Mary) 2, Carol Pearce (Budleigh Salterton) 4, Nicola Kelly (Exmouth) 15 and Emily Kelly who had a good time but missed control 10, as did John Dyson all on the green course.
On the blue course there was Adrian Taylor (Exmouth) fifth, Tess Stone, 12th, and Tim Gent (Exmouth) 20th. On the brown course, Robin Carter (Talaton) came 11th, Alan Knight and James Jackson both had good times but miss- punched on this course.
Helen Taylor (Exmouth) was 16th on the light green course.
All the orienteerers were really appreciative of the planners of the event, John and Ben Chesters who only a week ago lost their son and brother Tom, in the Glen Coe avalanche.
They gave everyone an enjoyable and challenging course, which this year incorporated a new area to the south of the road, which gave a fantastic finale to each course and was mapped for the event last year by John Pearce of Budleigh Salterton. It was lovely to see so many local families enjoy the event and we hope more will have a go at other local events in the future.
A great many volunteers make these events happen and run smoothly, if you feel you would like to get involved or help out please contact John Dyson the club’s chairman on 01395 512416
Full results and forthcoming fixtures are available at www.devonorienteering.co.uk
?Local training sessions start again for all ages on Friday, Feb 1, at The Byes (meeting by the new rugby pavilion, Sidford, at 4.30pm).
This term there will be sessions at Bicton College, Core Copse and Mutters Moor. Contact Tess Stone at email; plum.pebble@gmail.com tel: 01297 20773 or 07974 802598.
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