Team AVR take the win in Meldon
Four AVRs took part in South-West Fell Runners’ Meldon Skyline fell race on Saturday which was a 12.5k hilly route across part of Dartmoor with more than 600 feet of climb. A steep start straight up to Yes Tor before a skip across to Fordinsland ledge and a long technical descent to Homerton Hill meant no let-up for the runners. There were a few navigational options in the valley before another summit to the Tor where the footing improved for a fast finish.
First home for AVR was Tim Lenton who was seventh overall and first M40 in 1:00.23 with James Green hot on his heels finishing in 1:00.35, eighth and second M40. Patrick Devine-Wright was 15th and second M50 in 1:07.06 with Rik Tumber just behind him in 16th overall in 1:07.15.
The four AVRs together secured the team prize for their efforts beating Okehampton RC on their home turf! There were 66 finishers in the event which is also a selection event for Devon at the Inter-Counties.
Totally Coastal
There was a 10k, half-marathon and a 50k ultra on offer at Winding Paths’ Total Coastal races held on Saturday.
In the 50k, which started in Kingswear with the finish in Shaldon, Patrick Rosello completed it in an amazing 6:35.33 placing him a brilliant ninth with more than 100 finishers. All the more fantastic given a staggering 6000 feet of elevation.
Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation ran the half-marathon which started in Preston Green, near Paignton then took runners along with the south-west coast path through to the same finish in Shaldon. Multi-terrain with 2778 feet of elevation and, with Bec using it as a comeback from injury and illness, it was very much a case of running together with grit, determination and the beautiful scenery getting them to the end.
Yeovil Half
Four AVRs tackled the Yeovil Half Marathon on Sunday. The town centre start and finish made for a great atmosphere with lots of support throughout the 13.1 miles. The new route even went past the front doors of Montecute House, although it was challenging with over 800ft of climb, with more than 1000 runners completing the race and taking home a lovely wooden medal for their efforts.
First AVR back was Duncan Staddon in an excellent sixth place in 1:17:53, first M40. Matt Hewer was sixth in the M40 category, 32nd overall in 1:25:13. Angela Kerr romped home in 2:10:19, fourth in the F60-69 category and 522nd overall just before Mandy Harris, 602nd, who finished in 2:16:42.
Feighan Fury – remembering Mike
This new race has been created by SWRR (South West Road Runners) in memory of a much-loved member of their club, Mike Feighan who sadly died in 2021. Five-time winner of the Grizzly, Mike was well-known in the Devon running community having also been behind the creation of the Exeter Riverside parkrun.
Sunday’s 10 mile multi-terrain trail race took place across the hills, fields and rivers of mid-Devon. Five AVRs joined the first edition of this race which had more than 200 finishers.
Incredibly Tim Lenton and Patrick Devine-Wright ran again fresh from their success the previous day at the Meldon event. First home for AVR was Tim Lenton, who had clearly recovered well, to take fourth overall and third M40 in 1:14.36. Patrick Devine-Wright was tenth overall and nabbed the first M50 prize in 1:19.53. A fantastic weekend’s work for these two!
Other AVRs were Cory Schultze (96th in 1:41.22), Jeremy Slade (114th in 1:47.26) and Darrell Farley (127th in 1:51.47).
Milestones for AVRs at Seaton parkrun
More than 200 completed Seaton parkrun on Saturday in windy conditions with Innes Fitzgerald, fresh from a string of cross-country victories, coming in as first finisher in 16:57, just the second time Seaton has had a female first finisher.
Liz Slade celebrated her 50th milestone running with a group of fellow AVRs while Angela Kerr reached her 100th volunteer milestone as Run Director on Saturday. Congratulations to both members of the Seaton parkrun core team. The core team, along with a fantastic group of volunteers, ensure the event can take place every Saturday. To help out please email: seaton@parkrun.com – there are plenty of different roles available every week.
On the parkrun tourism trail, Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Haldon Forest, Gill and Jon Day ran Teignmouth Promenade and Carol Austin enjoyed the sights and smells of Frogmary Green Farm! Ron Seaward travelled to Aberysthwyth and smashed out an 80.6% age grade for his 22:26. Nice one Ron! Also in Wales, Ellie Dominey was first female finisher at Haverford West in 20:56. All the AVRs at parkrun can be found here
Greece is the word!
Richard Jackson ran the Greek Tagetus Challenge on Sunday finishing in 71st. The race was some 37KM over a highly technical terrain with a challenging 2154m of altitude difference. Despite the tough conditions 180 completed the race which passed through the gorge of Viros which, apart from its natural beauty, stands out because of its historical importance as along it passed the ancient Royal Road that connected ancient Sparta with the port of Kardamyli.
