Off to a (Chard) flyer
The Chard Flyer is a road 10k with a wicked climb to the finish after a relatively flat course that takes in the reservoir, starting and finishing at the cricket club in the town. Organised by Chard Road Runners, 11 AVRs supported the event on New Year’s Day which attracted 174 competitors.
In fourth place and first AVR was Joel Seward in 36:52 with Rich Hardy just behind in fifth and first M40. In his first race for six months, Terry Emmett was second M40, seventh overall, in 38:07. Eighth female and third F45 was Karen Eyre in 48:51. Ian Kinnersley took the M60 crown finishing in 47:29.
Other AVRs were David Cull 12th in 41:10; Adrian Strawbridge 51st in 48:06; Richard Jackson 67th in 49:55; Mark Spraggs 86th in 52:54; Lee Brooker 151st in 1.04:24 and Jools Elsom 168th in 1.11:43
Christmas and New Year racing
Storm Gerrit and the Christmas festivities didn’t stop AVRs during the last couple of weeks with three parkruns in Seaton, the Bank Holiday 10k Time Trial and the last race of 2023 plus first of the new year. Alongside these there was a singing tour of care homes on Christmas Eve and a trip to the Great Field parkrun on New Year’s day.
It’s the Final Countdown …
An off-road 10k starting on Sidmouth Esplanade and heading up Peak Hill and into Mutters Moor was the challenging final race of 2023 organised by Winding Paths. Due to the high winds a slight route change on the day meant it was just under 10k with six AVRs taking part and a few others supporting the race by marshalling.
In second place was AVR’s, James Green in an excellent 41:57 just behind winner, Simon Minting of Exmouth Harriers. Eleanor Wood was fifth female finisher in 55:36, first F65. Other AVRs were Andrew Snook, 18th in 50:20; Zoe Harp, 103rd in 1:07.19; Vicki Wraight, 115th in 1:09.00 and Kathryn Thompson in 218th in 1:25.21. More than 250 runners took part.
Wet, wild and windy
Storm Gerrit meant a 24-hour delay to AVR’s Christmas 10k Time Trial but still the 43 runners faced some horrendous weather. Biblical rain, gale-force winds and even a hailstorm came their way as they ran along the newly opened path from Colyford to the seafront in Seaton and then along the Axmouth straight and back to finish right into an evil headwind on the Esplanade.
First home was Joel Seward in an impressive time of 37:41 with Rich Hardy second in 39:10 and Debbie Whiston third in 43:51. The race was the first event in the 2024 AVR Club Challenge so all 41 finishers were rewarded with points towards the series. Full results here.
O Come all Ye Faithful
Twelve AVRs donned their festive attire and took their best singing voices to a number of care and retirement homes in Seaton on Christmas Eve to entertain the residents. Led by Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott the group ran between the homes, singing Carols in each venue and finishing with a sing-song and mulled wine on the seafront.
Berkshire Gutbuster
Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott took part in the very hilly and muddy Berkshire Gutbuster on Saturday with Pam finishing the 10k in 1:12.04 and Cliff choosing the 10 mile option and finishing in 1:41.49.
Bumper Festive parkruns
New Year’s Day is another optional day on the parkrun calendar and with Seaton taking a day off, a group of AVRs joined with the Seaton parkrun core volunteer team to travel to The Great Field parkrun in Poundbury. Third finisher and first AVR was Matt Orsman in 18:40 with Matt Hewer continuing his return from injury finishing in 19:47. Second female to finish was Lucy Watkinson in 21:41.
There were parkrun events at Seaton on Saturdays 23rd and 30th as well as one on Christmas Day with records aplenty and AVRs doing well at all three. On Christmas Day there was a record 419 finishers with Innes Fitzgerald first female and second finisher in 16:36 – the time also the third fastest female finisher across all UK parkrun events on both Christmas Day and Saturday 30th.
On 23rd both Claire Warner and Emilie Brock celebrated their 50th volunteering milestones with Keith Agland reaching his 100th on Christmas Day. As with all events parkrun cannot happen without the wonderful volunteers.
On Saturday 30th Seaton parkrun held its 300th event – it has come a long way since the very first one in November 2015. Despite the wind, Suzi Blackett and Shirley Goy celebrated PBs in 25:18 and 45:07 respectively.
