OCTAVIAN Droobers Orienteering Club staged a very successful and popular event in Coventry City centre as part of a major weekend of orienteering which included one in Birmingham.
Both of the events formed part of the European-wide series Euro City Race Tour as the club welcomed over 400 participants from around the UK and Europe to this prestigious meeting.
Several Droobers secured top-10 finishes on many of the courses as Sheila Carey (W75) took just 31 minutes and 2 seconds to win the Women’s Hyper Vets 2.6km course.
Fellow Droober Sue Bicknell was third in 42 mins 47 secs with Sue Hallett fifth in 44 mins 57 secs and Karin Kirk seventh in 46 mins 45 secs.
On the Women’s Open 5.22km course, Nadine Wright (W21) placed fourth in 47 mins 21 secs whilst Juliette Soulard (W50) was fifth in 46 mins 57 secs on the Women’s Veteran 4.725km course.
Sam Leadley (M21) impressed to finish fifth on the longest 6.3km course and was third in the Men’s Open class after finding 36 control points in 43 mins 55 secs.
There was also a top-10 finish for David Lawson (M55) who was ninth on the Men’s Super Vet 4.725km course with Barry Elkington (M65) fourth on the Men’s Ultra Vet 4.125km course in 35 mins 59 secs.
Droobers shone in the M75 class with Peter Carey third in 37 mins 27 secs, Mike Hampton sixth in 40 mins 13 secs and Gerry Spalton 10th in 56 mins 7 secs on the Men’s Hyper Vet 3.2km course.
In the juniors, Andrew Tang (M10) was fifth in 36 mins 17 secs with younger brother Daniel seventh in 67 mins 25 secs on the Young Junior Men’s 1.8km course.
Newcomer James Silver (M35) enjoyed the explorer tourist trail 3.3km course as he finished first in 34 mins 46 secs.
And the Birmingham Euro City event took place the following day with Barry Elkington (M65) leading the way for Droobers in first place on the Ultravet Men’s course in 34 mins 29 secs.
Carey (W75) then completed a weekend double as she won on the Hypervet Women’s course in 41 mins 3 secs with Karin Kirk second in 53 mins 43 secs.
And Leadley (M21) also continued his good form to place second on the Open Men’s course in 56 mins 15 secs whilst Liz Phillips (W55) was second on the Supervet Womens course and A Tang (M10) third in 13 mins 47 secs on the Young Junior Men’s course.
Organiser Phil Kirk praised the help received from club members and the support from Coventry University for the use of the Sports Centre for the reception arena.
Competitors used a specially drawn, very detailed map and had to navigate successfully around the City centre locating strategically placed control points.
Results are available at: www.octavian-droobers.org and details about both events are at: www.heartofenglandurban.site
For details on how to take part in orienteering, a fun outdoor active sport, ideal for beginners, runners and families of all ages, visit the club website at: www.octavian-droobers.org or email: [email protected] or contact Karin Kirk on: 01926 632189.
