OCTAVIAN Droobers were represented by four of the club’s members Down Under at the annual Oceania Championships last weekend.
Father and son Richard Gardner and son William were joined by Hilary Simpson alongside her husband Trevor at the championships, hosted in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
Richard Gardner’s time of 15:09 was enough to win the men’s 65 class sprint distance, while William was runner-up in the men’s elite race with 15:38.
In the women’s 80 class, Hilary Simpson (20:46) won by almost six minutes, with Trevor (17:49) coming home in second in the men’s equivalent race.
Closer to home at the urban race in Retford in Nottinghamshire, Mike Snell (M60) was the winner of the Super Vet 5.1km men’s race, crossing the finish line in 39:57m.
Mike Hampton (M70) was placed fifth on the Ultra Vet 4.5km men’s course in 46:48.
Elsewhere, five orienteers took on the annual Caddihoe Chase hosted by Devon Orienteering Club.
Jill Emmerson (W55, 1:02:58) impressed in the 4.44km race with a second-place finish, while Margaret Wildig (W65, 1:00:01) completed the 3.31km race in just over an hour to finish fifth.
Barry Elkington (57:33) and Andy Emmerson (59:18, both M60) finished fifth and eighth respectively on the 5.81km course, while Tony Feltbower (M65, 50:34) completed the day’s racing by finishing sixth in the 4.44km race.
Octavian Droobers host the annual Tony Haw Trophy Score event at Kingsbury Water Park near Tamworth on Saturday between 10.30am and noon, with orienteers of all ages and experience welcomed.
