World Class in Riga
Tony Smith and Sam Miller travelled to Riga in Latvia for the first ever World Athletics Road Running Championships. Due to injury, their son Jake Smith wasn’t competing so it was their turn to take centre stage participating in the mass half marathon race. An impressive 13000 runners took part in the mass race from more than 100 countries, starting just behind the elite race.
The course featured most of Riga’s central landmarks; with the start and finish using the Gate to Old Riga adjacent to the main river Daugava. Criss-crossing the river on a predominantly flat course, the runners returned to Old Riga over Vanšu bridge offering a spectacular panorama of the city.
Tony finished an excellent 390th, 11th M55 in his best time for many years in 1:33.44 whilst Sam was also pleased with her 2:14.48 finish in 563rd, 15th F55.
Mud, mud glorious mud
The Honiton Hippo was once again full of mud, sweat and tears but with lots of fun and opportunities to wash up in the River Otter. Thirteen AVRs joined the 150+runners in the 7 mile multi-terrain run.
Eleanor Wood was first AVR home in 1:09.07, in 28th, fifth female and first F55. Andy West was next AVR in 1:11.51, third M60. Sid Heaslip followed in 57th, 1:18.26 with Dawn Carrah in 1:20.40. Full results are here.
Cardiff half
Vicki Wraight, Susan Wall and Laura Kerr popped over the border to take part in the Cardiff half-marathon in Wales, one of the country’s fastest half marathons; well-organised and with a great atmosphere at start and finish. Despite an ongoing ankle injury Laura finished in an excellent 1:51.43, 697th female. Susan and Vicki ran together finishing in 2:40.24; Susan was 135th F60. More than 20,000 runners completed the 13.1 mile race.
Green success for Innes
Congratulations to Innes Fitzgerald who has won the BBC Young Athlete of the Year at the Green Sports Awards 2023. Details here
50 not out!
SLW celebrates their birthday and other parkrun news
Stopline Way Junior parkrun celebrated its 50th run and first birthday in style at Axminster Town FC last Sunday.
Runners, their families, and volunteers enjoyed a fabulous postrun Stopline Way Junior parkrun celebration cake made by Kristina West (Knapp Cottage Cakes) and delicious vegan treats made by volunteer Wendy le Masurier.
Since the start a year ago the event has welcomed 197 junior parkrunners who have completed 857 Stopline Way Junior parkruns between them. The core team comprises about 20 volunteers, many of whom are AVR members, with 82 people having volunteered in total.
Here’s to the next 50!
At Seaton parkrun on Saturday Kerry Board was first female finisher in 22.23. Both Matt Clist, second finisher and Ritchie Durrant, in third, nabbed PBs in 16.37 and 16.41, respectively with Matt also first on age-grade in 84%.
There were PBs too for Paul Johns in 21.21, Baz Chandra in 27.07 and Georgie Ryan in 30.14.
Congratulations to Viv Blumfield who celebrated her 50th volunteer milestone.
In Cardiff it was wonderful to see Jake Smith on the comeback trail with a 14.44 first finisher placing! Also in Wales, Carolyn Nation secured her D at Dolgellau parkrun. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the good conditions in Exmouth, Carol Austin secured her best ever age-grade of 83% for her 23.09 while Stuart Olliver finished in 29.19.
And finally… over on the darkside!
It was a fantastic performance for Emilie Brock at the Thruxton Duathlon on Sunday where she secured a GB Age Group Team Qualifier position with second place in the F40 and tenth overall in the Run-Bike-Run event.
Luke Reed is on tenter hooks to see if his fourth place is enough to qualify but a week after representing GB in this year’s European triathlon it is very impressive.
Not content with running Berlin marathon last week, Haydn Boehm also took part finishing 18th in his age category. Like running the strength is in depth at tri and duathlon age groups events gets stronger every year.
