OCTAVIAN Droobers Orienteering Club sent a large team of members to this year’s annual multi-day Easter Weekend of Orienteering held in Wales.
The JK2022 event comprising three racing disciplines: sprint, middle and long distance, and a relay on Day 4, attracted over 2000 entries.
At the sprint event, on Day 1, around Swansea University Campus and Singleton Park, several Droobers earned top-three places in their respective classes.
William Gardner was second on the 3.9km M21 Elite course 11 seconds behind the winner taking 14 mins 51 seconds and Nathan Lawson was third in 15 mins 14 secs.
Barry Elkington was second M65 taking 13 mins 25 secs on the 2.3km course, Mike Hampton was third M75 in 18 mins 51 secs on the 2.1km course, Nadine Wright was third in the Women’s Open 2.8km race in 18 mins 07 secs and Sheila Carey was third on the W75 2.1km course in 23 mins 16 secs.
The Day 2 middle distance race at Clydach Terrace on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park saw Will Gardner place second on the M21 Elite 5.9km course taking 31 mins 18 secs only one second ahead of Nathan Lawson’s 31 mins 19 secs.
Alistair Landels was third on the M50 Long 4.9km course in 37 mins 25 secs, Trevor Simpson was second M80 on the 2.4km course in 38 mins 39 secs, Juliette Soulard W50 was third on her 3.7km course in 33 mins 22 secs and Sheila Carey was second W75 in 29 mins 10 secs on the 1.8km course.
The final Day 3 long distance event was held at Pwll Du, near Blaenavon and Will Gardner was first on the M21 Elite 16km long course in 94 mins 34 seconds, Alistair Landels was second on the M50 Long 8.3km course in 63 mins 20 secs, Nadine Wright was third W21 Long 7.5km course in 91 mins 54 secs and Sheila Carey was second W75 in 57 mins 22 secs on the 3.7km course.
The overall results from the three days saw podium places for Sheila Carey winning the W75 class and Will Gardner second M21 Elite, Trevor Simpson third M80, Alistair Landels third M50 Long, Nadine Wright third W21 Long and Stephen Elkington third M21 Short.
The Relay at Caerwent was very exciting and the Droobers team of Nathan Lawson, Matthew Elkington and William Gardner won the prestigious JK Trophy whilst Bruce Bryant, Sheila Carey and Barry Elkington won the Ultra Veteran Trophy.
For details of how to take part in this fun outdoor active sport, ideal for beginners, runners and families of all ages visit the website at: www.octavian-droobers.org, email [email protected] or contact Karin Kirk 01926 632189.
