AVRs shine at the Monument
It was a very successful trip into Somerset on Sunday for AVR at the Wellington Monument race. The race, which is just over 10k, sees runners taking on the challenging climb from the village square in Hemyock up to the Monument before enjoying a downhill finish albeit with a sneaky hill included. There are great views at the summit and on route with mulled wine, cider and mince pies to greet the runners afterwards.
AVR’s Rich Hardy was third, and first M40, in 36:49. Eleanor Wood was an excellent 58th and first F65 in 50:28 which would have also scooped F55 and F60! Ron Seward was 62nd and first M70 in 51:28.
Matt Frost was eighth in 40:09 and Lee Moran 12th and second M45, in 41:36. Richard Jackson was 65th in 52:07; Lee Brooker 97th in 57:51 and Fiona Seward 131st, and third F65, in 1:06.30.
The team prize also went to AVR with Rich Hardy, Lee Moran, Matt Frost and Eleanor Wood scoring and taking away bottles of cider, rosettes and chocolates for their morning’s work.
Christmas cheer on the Otter
The Otterton Reindeer Run fell victim to Storm Darragh last weekend but went ahead on Saturday with AVR’s Karen Eyre finishing third female in 49:35. Rupert Pady finished in 46:40. The race was won by Tom Merson, Exmouth Harriers in 37:13.
It was a lovely scenic looped multi-terrain run starting and finishing in Otterton with views of Ladrum Bay from the coastal path and views down into Budleigh from the riverside of the Otter.
Christmas jolly at Escot
Fancy dress and fun was the order of the day at Escot on Sunday as seven AVRs joined the Extremely Jolly 10k trail race. The festive trail around the stunning private grounds of the Escot Estate uniquely includes a 30m water slide! But it isn’t just fun, there are trails, woodland paths, bridges and water crossings to navigate. Runners are rewarded with a lovely ‘reindeer’ medal and hot drinks and mince pies.
Zoe Harp and Louise Rawlins were 113th and 114th in 1:22.41 and 1:22.44 respectively while Rachel Hiscock, Denise Burgess, Shirley Salter and Kelly Giles all ran together finishing 193rdto 196th in 1:40.29 with 261 completing the race.
Christmas Cracker
Ragnhild Richards ran the 10k Christmas Cracker in Weston-super-Mare, a flat course along the Esplanade with some parts ran on the beach itself.
In good conditions, she finished in 54.43, fifth F60 a little faster than last year.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
After three weeks of no parkrun in Seaton it was great to be back with the sun shining as an added bonus. AVRs dominated the top finishers with first home Matt Clist in 17:00, also second on age grade in an impressive 83%. Debbie Whiston was first female to finish in 20:09, third on age-grade. Joel Seward was second finisher in 17:44.
Tony Smith and Sam Miller finally took part “where it all began”, the famous Bushy parkrun while Carolyn Nation ran the very scenic Plym Valley parkrun. Rob Collier and Sam Summers did Riverfront parkrun in Newport and Kerry Board ran Exmouth parkrun.
And finally …
Innes Fitzgerald followed up the defence of her European Cross Country U20 title last weekend with a brilliant run indoors at the Cardiff Met Christmas Classic to finish in 9:04.87 to go third on the all-time British U20 indoor rankings behind Zola Budd and Jess Warner-Judd.
