Elkington’s double win in the Lakes

THE Graythwaite middle distance and Lingmoor Long Distance in the Lake District and the Northern Championships at Thirsk and Wass were national events and attracted orienteers from all over the UK.

Lingmoor Long distance saw Matthew Elkington M21 race home in first place on the longest 9.87km course with 515 metres of climb in 73.43minutes, ahead of fellow OD’s William Gardner M21 in second, 76.30mins and Duncan Birtwistle M21 fourth in 84.27mins.

Kirsten Strain was fourth W21 on the Short Brown 6.86km course with 325 metres of climb taking 72.57mins and Anne Straube W40 was fourth woman on the Blue 5.96km 260 metre climb course in 67.13mins.

At the Graythwaite middle distance race Matthew Elkington M21 did the double and was the winner on the longest course, Black 5km with 240 metres of climb taking 32.24mins just ahead of second placed Will Gardner 33.08 and Duncan Birtwistle was eighth in 37.27mins.

Julie Emmerson W21 was second on the Brown Women 4.6km course in 40.57mins and Kirsten Strain seventh in 44.13mins.

Anne Straube was third in 43.45mins on the Blue Women 4.1km course.

Pippa Smart was sixth on the Junior Women course at the Urban race around Thirsk taking 32.02mins on the 3.8km course.

At the Wass event Harrison McCartney was seventh M20 on the 8.1km course in 68.48mins.

Florence Lunn was seventh on the W14 3.2km course in 56.12mins.

Leicestershire Orienteering Club organised the Castle Hill event and Anne Straube W40 was second woman on the Blue 7km course taking 54.35mins and Max StraubeRoth M10 was sixth on the 2.2km Yellow course taking 36.10mins.

The next summer evening event is on Wednesday May 2 at Borough Hill, Daventry, with starts from 6pm until 7.30pm.

Courses suitable for absolute beginners and experienced orienteers from 2km up to 5km.

Full details are at www. octavian-droobers.org or from 01926 632 189.