Thrills and spills at the ColyTEN
The conditions were perfect for the second year of the ColyTEN held on Sunday with the event once again a huge success thanks to the great organisation of Rob Collier, Karen Eyre and a big team of AVRs supporting them.
The 10-mile race began in the muddiest of fields in Colyton with runners crossing two rivers, tackling a number of tough hills into the woods at Morganhayes then returning via more mud to the finish at the Peace Memorial Playing Fields. AVR’s Chair Haydn Boehm rocked the MC role all morning and a host of AVRs and Colyton Youth Football members provided refreshments and huge support for the runners and spectators.
The race itself attracted nearly 250 runners with a big-turn out of AVRs amongst them.
The winners were Wayne Loveridge, Chard Road Runners, in 1:06.25 and Emily Cowper-Coles, Dark Peak Fell Runners in 1:10.43. Second male was AVR’s Rik Tumber in a superb 1:08.18 followed by a great battle between Matt Clist who held on for fourth in 1:09.49, and Rich Hardy, fifth in 1:09.50. AVR’s Debbie Whiston was an excellent third female in 1:17.51. Age group prizes went to Matt Clist, M45; Rich Hardy M40; Rupert Pady M55 for his 1:18.27; Eleanor Wood, first F60 for a brilliant 1:32.34; and Sue Hayes F50 finishing in 1:36.33, even after stopping to help a fallen AVR.
The prizes, handcrafted mugs and boxes of veggies, were presented by Jody Tucker, chair of Colyton Youth Football and Haydn Boehm, chair of Axe Valley Runners.
Full results are here.
My kinda marathon
Kerry Board and Angela Kerr completed the Chicago marathon in the windy city, one of the World Marathon Majors. On the day when the women’s marathon record was obliterated by Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich who won in an incredible 2:09.56, there were mixed fortunes for the AVR duo.
Kerry finished in a brilliant 3:31, 2645th female, 197th F45, 12021st overall. After just four weeks to recover from the Sydney marathon, Angela struggled from 30k but still dug deep to finish in 5:50, 141st F65, to achieve an amazing fifth marathon major with just one to go to complete the set.
A Royal Affair
AVR’s Lee Brooker and Emma Richardson travelled to the Capital for the Royal Parks Half Marathon. Starting in Hyde Park the route includes Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Buckingham Palace Garden, St James’s Park and the Mall, so covering much of the London marathon route but just the 13.1 miles.
Finishing as the 5257th male in 2:03.03 Lee Brooker was delighted with a shiny new PB while Emma Richardson ran her second fastest half marathon to finish in 2:19.23, 5195th female. More than 17000 completed the race.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a quiet one for AVR in Seaton on Saturday due to the ColyTEN but there was a good turnout of volunteers and visitors including a family from Australia showing the joy parkrun brings across the world. Harry McMahon was first finisher in 18:03 and Helen Boehm continued her streak of PBs for her 31:04. Julia Conway celebrated her 50th milestone; Robert Kerr achieved his 100th parkrun and 100th volunteer milestone on the same day – great synchronisation; and a shout-out to Sarah Shepley for her 250th volunteer milestone achieved recently at Stop Line Way junior parkrun.
Tom Parsons popped over the border to complete St Mary’s parkrun in Bridport in the pouring rain along with Tracy Chapman; Andy Goy did Peter Pan parkrun in Hull; Paul Johns took part in Plym Valley parkrun while Anthony and Adrianne Mullins secured their U at Upton House parkrun. Jo Orsman ran Exmouth parkrun mid long-run and Patrick Devine-Wright was an impressive sixth at Killerton parkrun.
