AVRs off to a flyer
After a very successful 2024 AVR began 2025 with more success at the Chard Flyer, a 10k road race held on New Year’s Day and organised by Chard Road Runners. There was a big turnout from AVR despite the wet and very windy conditions, boosted by the opportunity for some early point scoring in the club championships. Run on a mix of park paths and country lanes the route takes runners from Chard into the South Somerset countryside including some challenging hills.
Second place overall and first M40 was Rich Hardy in 35:19 with Matt Clist just four seconds behind in 35:23. In fourth place was Joel Seward in 36:27.
Fifth female was AVR’s Karen Eyre in 45:12, also second F45, with Eleanor Wood a very impressive first F55 (despite being 65+) in 49:49.
Rob Collier was an excellent first M50 in 40:53.
Final Countdown
The Final Countdown, held on New Year’s Eve in Sidmouth and organised by Winding Paths, is a multi-terrain race of approx.10k which starts on the Esplanade in the town with runners tackling the very challenging Peak Hill then enjoying the views from the golf course and Mutters Moor before descending into Connaught Gardens to finish. Five AVRs took part with first AVR home in sixth place and second M40 Andrew Snook in 42:04.
Gutbuster
Cliff Marriott ran the undulating 10-mile Gutbuster in rural Berkshire on Sunday finishing in 1:44.36. Pam Goddard took part in the 10k version completing it in 1:10.53. Both describing the races as huge fun but very muddy.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
Christmas Day saw a record breaking 504 finishers at Seaton parkrun including a rare appearance from female course record holder, Innes Fitzgerald.
There was another bumper parkrun in Seaton on Saturday with 373 completing the 5k event. First home was AVR’s Rich Hardy in 16:52 with Debbie Whiston first female in 19:55. Eleanor Wood was first on age-grade with an incredible 92% for her 23:00. James Ashforth celebrated his 100th parkrun milestone by running in a weighted vest in preparation for his challenge later this year when he takes part in the London marathon dressed as a robin to raise funds and awareness for the baby loss charity, Tommys.
With extra parkrun events on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day there were a lot of AVRs out on the road including Tom Parsons who took part in the Coedweg Niwbwrch/Newborough Forest parkrun on Anglesey / Ynys Môn in a time of 22:57. It was a very scenic route through the woodland with views over a rough sea to the mountains of Eryri.
Meanwhile Matt Frost ran Five Arches parkrun on Saturday. Ending the year on a high he managed to come away with a parkrun PB in 17:38 to finish the year with PBs in parkrun, 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon – some effort that!
And finally …
In the club organised Bank Holiday 10k time trial, 49 members took part in excellent running conditions. With early club championships points available there were some super fast times.
