Medals for Moravian Orienteers at British Championships
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Moravian Orienteers claimed a clutch of medals at last weekend's British Championships in the south of England.
Nine members of the club made the long trek south with the hope of claiming some honours.
Saturday saw the long distance events take plae, with the relays on Sunday.
The long took place in a large mixed forest near Newbury. The area had plenty of paths but it was planned so that to a large extent it was fastest not to use them, particularly as they were generally very muddy.
This, plus the unusual topography made for an area that seemed very easy when you were going right, but remarkably difficult to know where you were if and when you lost it.
Only Isobel Howard performed as well as expected with a fabulous silver medal in W18 elite from a field of 30 runners.
Finlay McLuckie made a pretty big mistake but still finished fourth in M16-, a very creditable effort as he is nearly three years younger than the oldest in the class.
The relays took place near Henley on steep-sided chalk hills spattered with depressions for placing controls in, and offering very fast running.
Isobel Howard again starred, leading off Edinburgh University’s second team in the women’s premier class. She returned to hand over in a close third place, a position that her team maintained at the finish for a prestigious bronze medal.
Finlay and Kate McLuckie joined up with Ellie Darlow from a Southern Scottish club to defend their title from last year in the junior relay that allows split clubs.
Despite being rather young in this class they came through with Finlay’s speed taking gold on the last leg.
Morag and Peter McLuckie teamed up with Eddie Harwood in the men’s short race, this being a class for anyone, and including many young teams that don’t wish to compete in the premier event.
Therefore with an average age of well over 60 they were never going to medal. However three really good runs, all within a minute of each other, produced an unexpected eleventh place.
