A weekend in the Lakes with a difference
James Green teamed up with Justin Nicholas from Climb Southwest to take on the 53rd Original Mountain Marathon, OMM in the Langdale Valley this weekend. A 2-day self-navigated, self-supported mountain race where runners are provided with a map with checkpoints at the start.
The weather was reasonably mild but very windy with heavy showers all weekend. After day one the pair found themselves lying 15th with a time of 8hr 8mins overnight. After a good rest in a tent hastily pitched between the showers they attacked day two on sore limbs moving up to 11th overall with a total time of 14hrs 49mins. Just 24 couples completed this tough, endurance race in their category.
Herepath Half
Six AVRs crossed the border into Somerset for the multi-terrain Herepath Half-marathon, a circular race following the Staple Fitzpaine bridleway, a tough route with 1450 feet of ascent. Lee Moran was first AVR home in 10th place in an excellent 1:39.51. Eleanor Wood was second female to finish in a brilliant 1:58.40. Andy West was 74th in 2:09.33 while Steve Lewis was first M70 in 108th in 2:23.53. Suzie Blackett and Helen Holmes ran together to finish 122nd and 123rd in 2:34. A total of 168 finished the race organised Taunton’s Running Forever Running Club.
A Canter by the Canal
Starting at the Tiverton Canal Basin and heading along the canal towpath for 6.6 miles to Sampford Peverell then turning to run back to Tiverton, Aileen Heal, Bob Carter, Ian Westwood, Louise Rawlins and Zoe Harp were among the 75 competitors for the flat Winding Paths Grand Canal Half Marathon. Running together Louise Rawlins and Iain Westworth finished 35th and 36th in 2:13.30 with Bob Carter just behind in 42nd in 2:14.24. Zoe Harp came 63rd in 2:37.56 with Aileen Heal, recovering from a foot injury, in 64th in 2:39.08.
A sticky Stickler
Jeremy Larcombe and his father, John travelled to Blandford Forum in Dorset for the The Stickler; a tough 10.1 mile multi-terrain race that starts with the infamous stickle path and includes more than 1500 feet of gruelling climbing.
In the wind and rain through sticky mud Jeremy Larcombe finished in an impressive 1.46 with John Larcombe finishing in 2.07.
Spooky shenanigans for Halloween
Exeter Halloween 5 organised by the City Community Trust runs along the River Exe starting and finishing at the Quay. Matt Frost took third place in 30:17.70 with Darrell Farley 17th in 38:25.8 with 88 completing the 5m race.
Not content with one race, Matt also competed on Saturday evening at a 10k trail run Moonlit Meadow run organised by Channel Events. Run in the dark with just the use of head torches he was an excellent second in 42.36.
A trio of centuries
Three AVRs celebrated their 100th parkrun milestone at Seaton on Saturday. Kerry Board also finished third female in 22:07. Darrell Farley and John Hocking also ran their 100th while Rik Tumber was third finisher (and first Zombie) in 19:16.
At Stopline Way Junior parkrun the children and volunteers came in fancy dress for Halloween with 20 youngsters taking part in the 2k run.
Before a weekend of racing, a group of AVRs enjoyed a spooky Halloween fun run around Seaton in fancy dress –it is hoped this will become an annual event. Big thanks go to Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard for organising it.
