From village greens to the Matterhorn via the streets of London
During the last week, AVRs have shone high in the mountains, on the streets of London and Somerset and on the trails around Devon villages – all showing the huge variety and talent within the club.
Runshiners shine in Woodbury
Budleigh Salterton Lions Club organised a lovely scenic and undulating10k at Woodbury Common on Sunday when the wet and windy conditions surprised us runners after such a long hot and sunny period. Thursday’s RunShiners group had targeted the event, which was actually just over 10k, and were joined by a few other AVR stalwarts.
First woman and first AVR home in 16th overall was Eleanor Wood in an awesome 53.42. Pete Hallet was 29thin 58.58. John Hocking 1.03.53 and Cliff Marriott 1.04.10 finished one after the other followed by Lindsay and Simon Freathy, who ran together, crossing the line in 1.07.10. Next up was Bob Carter in 1.13.58. The holy trinity of Louise Rawlins, Sarah Whelan and Zoe Harp finished in 1.28.27 with one of them cartwheeling over the line. David (Ronnie) Whelan was next AVR in 1.31.16 with Viv Blumfield and Aileen Heal crossing the line hand in hand in 1.34.24. A total of 124 completed the event which was followed by tea and cake.
Brilliant Bridgewater PB performances
Six AVRs headed up the M5 to compete in the Bridgewater half marathon and 10k in showers and blustery conditions. More than 300 completed the half marathon which started at the Morganians Rugby Club to the east of the town then headed out to Chedzoy before moving on to the Somerset Levels. It is mostly flat with some undulations in the first half so is considered a fast course although the wind played its part! Terry Emmet was a magnificent fifth and second M40 in a PB of 1:15:36 with Richard Hardy hot on his heels in seventh in a huge four-minute PB of 1:16:51.
Kerry Board was 14th female and fourth F40 in a tremendous PB of 1:37:58.
Rob Collier came in 40th and fifth (from 42) M50s in 1:25:12 with Ian Kinnersley in 91st spot and an excellent third (from ten) in the M60 category in 1:37:24.
In the 10k, which is basically an out and back of the first 5k of the half marathon course, Kevin Feeney ran an excellent time of 52:50 to finish fourth M60 (from 13 runners) and 28th overall. More than 100 completed the shorter race.
Results: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/Bridgwater22/#1_582180
Big Half in the Big Smoke
The Big Half in London is a half marathon run on much of the London marathon route and a month before the 26 miler is the perfect warm-up. After taking the victory last year, Jake Smith had to settle for third this year in 62:08 behind Sir Mo Farah and Jack Rowe. Currently in a big training block ahead of the Valencia half-marathon in six-weeks time, Jake was happy with the tactical racing experience.
Village Fun
The Lustleigh 10k is part of the village’s bank holiday celebrations and this year Eleanor Wood and Henry Smith enjoyed the beautiful hilly route. Eleanor came in first F55 and fifth woman in 52.09 with Henry in 62.04 pleased to be back racing again.
Ultimate Tour in the Alps
High in the Italian and Swiss Alps with a backdrop of the Matterhorn, Patrick Devine-Wright took part in a four-day 170KM stage race. With a 3200m ascent he certainly experienced a ‘runners high’, running/walking at altitude much of the time providing spectacular views, sheer drops and huge climbs. His final time of 27:57.03 was enough for a very impressive fifth place.
Seaton parkrun
At Saturday’s parkrun in Seaton Simon Dimmock was first AVR to finish in 19.44. Joel Seward , followed up last week’s PB by helping out with pacing along with a number of other AVRs. Steven Lewis achieved a PB with his 25.51 time. Congratulations to Jeremy Norcombe who ran his 150th parkrun and Louise Rawlins who achieved the 25-volunteer milestone.
Results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/results/latestresults/
