A large group of members of the Octavian Droobers Orienteering Club participated this weekend in the local event at Rough Close Scout Camp, Tile Hill, Coventry and the regional event in Shoal Hill, Cannock Chase, hosted by Walton Chasers. Philip Vokes U21 was the fastest rider on the two long courses in both events.

At Shoal Hill, Philip Vokes clocked the winning time of 48.06 minutes on the Brown 8.5km course, Chris McCartney M50 was 10th in 58.12 minutes, David Leadley M55 11th in 63.02 minutes and Barry Elkington M65 15th in 68.54 minutes and all received the Brown Standard. status. Anne Straube W45 was the main lady on the same course in 77.03 minutes. On the 6.9km blue course, Kirsten Strain W35 was the club’s best member with 59.48 minutes, 2nd lady and 8th overall.

Bruce Bryant U55 finished 3rd in 40.44 minutes and Liz Phillips W55 4th on the 4.6 km green course. On the 3.9 km green short course, Peter Carey finished 1st M75 in 49.02 minutes, Joanne Leigh W50 10th in 52.28 minutes, Sheila Carey leading W75 and 11th overall in 54.55 minutes, Karin Kirk W70 17th in 57.43 minutes, Chris Dwyer M70 20th in 60.13 minutes and Trevor Simpson M80 22nd in 63.41 minutes, all achieving Short Green Standard status. Junior Max Straube-Roth M12 finished 3rd on the Orange 2.8 km course in 48.23 minutes.

The club hosted over 70 members at Rough Close and on the short course Rupert Powell U14 was the winner in 30.05 minutes, Hilary Simpson W80 was second in 38.37 minutes and Rory Sarkies U14 was 3rd in 41, 04 minutes. Bruce Bryant U60 won the middle course in 33.09 minutes, Richard Gardner U65 was 2nd in 35.10 minutes and Liz Phillips W55 3rd in 42.08 minutes. Philip Vokes’ victory time on the longest course was 32.37 minutes, Duncan Birtwistle U21 was 2nd in 34.20 minutes and Alistair Landels U50 3rd in 34.31 minutes.

At the Bagworth Heath and Woods Leicestershire Orienteering Club event, Keith Willdig finished first in 36.53 minutes on the 3.1km short green course and Margaret Willdig W65 12th in 51.14 minutes. Mike Hampton took 35 minutes to complete the 3.5km course at the Huntingdon Urban event and finished second in the Mens Hyper Vet category.

The club is planning a series of covid safe events throughout the summer and avid runners and orienteers can find these and all national events at www.britishorienteering.org.uk. website, see events section. Entries must be pre-booked and are currently only available to club members. To join and experience this adventure sport, contact the club for more information, see www.octavian-droobers.org or call 01926 632189.