Solway Orienteers claim silver relay medal in National Championships

A few members of Solway Orienteers have travelled to keep up navigational skills leading to the National Championships last weekend.

Glyn Jones sampled Border Liners event at Cockle Hill, held over open fell with rock detail and plenty of gorse to test him, returning in 20th place on the green course.

Lakekand Orienteers tempted a few runners to the latest Cumbrian Galoppen at the scenic Tarn Howes. This event presented some difficult navigation choices in steep open fellside with plenty of contour detail.

Ian Murgatroyd and Ian Turner tackled the blue course, returning 43rd and 52nd respectively. Green was the choice for Dave McQuillen and Glyn Jones who recorded 47th and 65th places, highlighting the challenge presented. Tim and Helen O’Donoghue opted for short green to lessen distance and Tim was happy to return in eighth place with Helen coming back 38th.

Last weekend the same runners competed in the Scottish Championships at the classic Creag Mhic Chailein area. Here they were competing within their own age categories.

For the ladies, Briony Kincaid contested the W21 Elite race and was happy with a silver standard in 11th place. Helen O’Donoghue ran W60 short and her reward was a first place.

Ian Murgatroyd contested the M60 long and returned a creditable 16th. In the M70 long class, Tim O’Donoghue was pleased with a ninth place with Glyn Jones recording 15th position. M75 long saw Ian Turner running to a third place finish and Dave McQuillen had to concede to an old rival with a second place in the M80 race.

On Sunday, Solway were part of the organising group for the relays and although all the organisation is done by club volunteers, managed to field one relay team in the event. Dave McQuillen, Tim