Spirits up in the Blackdown Hills
Blackdown Beast, organised by Honiton RC, is a social self-navigated 16-ish miler starting and finishing at Dunkeswell Airfield, with a 10 mile alternative course. The route visits Smeathorpe, Upottery and Luppit with steep climbs, mud and pasties promised en route.
There were smiles all round from the AVR members who took part in both the 16 mile and 10 mile routes.
As the race continued, the atmosphere didn’t diminish. The route was described as really enjoyable and picturesque, and praise was given for the friendly team and great organisation of Honiton RC.
Pictured, Helen Holmes, Julia Mallon, Vicki Wraight, Katharine Moran, Emma Richardson and Suzi Blackett, finished in just under 3.5 hours, despite stopping for pasties and mulled cider at the first “aid” station!
Crossing the line at the same time, AVR members Emilie Brock and Kerry Board took joint first ladies.
Emilie Brock described the event simply as “ace”!
Tim Lenton also finished first overall, making it an absolute clean sweep for AVR!
Well done to everyone who took part. A video of the start can be viewed on Facebook.
With thanks to Jeremy Slade and Suzi Blackett for the photos.
City Runs Exmouth
Matt Frost has been chasing 30 mins in the RunExe 5 mile series for a while. On 25th Jan, he achieved his goal with a PB of 29:46, finishing in 18th place overall. Well done, Matt!
The ARC 50
The dramatic Cornish coast path provides the setting for the ARC 50 mile race. A tough course with fantastic scenery. On 28th Jan, in perfect weather conditions, Patrick Devine-Wright completed the course in 10:06:56, finishing in 14th place overall and 2nd V50, out of a field of 224. Chapeau!
Grizzly get even closer
With 5 weeks to go until Grizzly 2023: “I Fought The Claw!”, a multitude of AVR members could be seen around the tops of Hooken Cliffs, from Beer to Branscombe, heading from the depths of winter into the last stages of their training!
The countdown has begun!
AVR across the globe at parkrun
Seaton parkrun saw 29 AVR members on Saturday. Adele Girdwood was highest placed age-graded with a fantastic 73.22% and Simon Dimmock was highest placed in 8th position. Additionally, Darrel Farley, Roberta Wadsworth and Paula Cooke all ran PBs!
There were AVR members running elsewhere as well: among others, Carol Austin was running at Albert Park in Australia, Craig Tiley at Lydiard, Ron Seward at Aberystwyth, and Paul Lloyd at Heartlands.
