So the ORS that started back in February, with David Child losing ashoe in the mud of Avon Tyrrell, reached its conclusion this morning at Brockenhurst Park Run. David and I have been there for all eight events, but we should spare a thought for David Green, whose season was curtailed by injury; get fixed soon David. In the ladies event Maggie Stokes (29.29) was first home to claim the winner’s 50 points. Lucy Evans (35.16) was second home in her first ORS event of the year and Sarah Rejchrt, last year’s champion, tail walked to 48 points. So, the final positions are that today’s 50 points sealed the ladies title for Maggie with a points total of 289 and a winning margin of an impressive 92 points. I think that is the dictionary definition of ‘comprehensive’ and after missing the first three events, this has been a storming run to the title by Maggie. Sandra Hewson,Tracey Price, Carys Gallagher and Sarah Ellis all sat this one out but Sandra nevertheless finished second with 147 points. Then come two ties. Firstly Sarah R’s 48 points saw her draw level with Tracey for joint third with both on 146 points. Both Carys and Sarah ' finished in joint fifth with a 100 points from two wins. Louise Blakeley was seventh with 97 points. Peter Doughty (18.49 and fourth overall) was once again the first Westie man home, followed by Peter Rejchrt (21.15) and then David C’ with a course PB of 22.41. Tim Evans (23.03) was fourth and 28.49 saw me record my eighth last place of the season! The top three places in the men’s table were already settled, but Pete consolidated first place by maxing out on 250 points. Kevin Drayson (245 points) remains in second and third placed David C’ marginally improved his overall points total to 240. The only slight change in the order is that my 46 points saw me sneak into fourth on 230 points, closely followed by Geoff Parrott on 229 points. Darryl Corbin-Jones and Peter Rejchrt finished in joint sixth on 192 points. Oh, I so want to arrange an 800 metres tie break for the skipper!… and now in the style of an Oscar ceremony some sentimental, but deserved, backslapping. Firstly, congratulations to Maggie and Pete D’ and also to the other podium finishers. It is good to see Pete back on the Westie ‘honours board’ and equally good to see a new name in Maggie up in lights too. From a team viewpoint let’s not forget that along the way we won the team prize at the Tyrrell Trail. Thanks to last year’s committee for coming up with such a good series. If I’m honest when I saw the Beast and the Stickler included in the same year I thought ‘oh dear’ (or something similar), but what did I know? Thanks to all the race organisers and marshals without whom we’d be running around the countryside getting lost. Thanks to everyone who has taken part for being good company and supportive and the same goes to those who have watched and supported. Special thanks go to David C’ who is not only an ever present this year but has missed no opportunity to promote the series. Talking of which ‘let’s be having you’ for 2020.

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Clive Grewcock