Tremendous Templer for AVR
AVR dominated the podiums at the Templer-10, a multi-terrain ten mile race around Stover Country Park. Torrential rain in the hour prior to the race made the conditions tricky as the mostly flat route took in river paths, fields and finished in the school sports field.
In the men’s race it was a clean sweep for AVR with Terry Emmett the overall winner in a brilliant 1:00.40. He also scooped first M40. Hot on his heels in second overall, and second M40, was Matt Clist in 1:01.07. Joel Seward completed the hat-trick with third in 1:02.02 (and first Senior Man).
Ellie Dominey was second female and first F35 in 1:12.36. Eleanor Wood was eighth female and first F65 in 1:19.20. Tenth overall was Richard Hardy in 1:04.13 chased home by Matt Orsman in 1:04.56, 12th and first M45. Rob Collier was 16th and took the M50 crown in 1:08.40 just behind Matt Frost, 15th in 1:08.12. Completing the AVR roll of honour was Ron Seward, second M70 in 1:27.26 with Steve Lewis 105th finisher, fourth M70, in 1:34.24.
Not content with ten individual prizes, AVR also nabbed first place for the men’s A team of Terry Emmett, Matt Clist, Joel Seward and Richard Hardy; and third for the B team of Matt Orsman, Matt Frost, Rob Collier and Ron Seward. The event was very well organised by Teignbridge Trotters with 177 runners completing the race.
Big AVR turnout in Sidmouth
There was a good turnout of AVRs at the Sidmouth 10k on Sunday which started and finished in Sidford, taking in the beautiful Byes, and then a stinger of a Salcombe Hill loop before heading back on the flat. The weather was wet, windy and wild for the 265 runners.
Simon Freathy was first AVR home in 32nd place in 46:29 followed by Laura Kerr in 50.01, ninth woman. Lyndsey Freathy 107th, 55:14; Adele Girdwood 118th, 55:52; Cliff Marriott 134th, 57:32; Viv Blumfield 211th, in a PB of 1:08.18; Sarah Whelan 223rd, 1:10.03; Kate Slater 231st, 1:10.54; Aileen Heal 234th, 1:12.00; Dave Whelan 263rd, 1:27.20 and Kate Patay 265th, 1:30.11 were the other AVR finishers. The race was organised by Sidmouth RC.
Diane’s delight at Bideford 10
Diane Newton travelled to North Devon to take part in the Bideford 10, a ten-mile race along the Tarka Trail with superb views of the Taw and Torridge Estuary. It was a wet and windy morning but luckily the clouds cleared just in time for the start from Bideford Town Centre. The race attracted some 500 runners and was won by Olympian steeplechaser Phil Norman in 49:58. Diane was very pleased to finish in 2:05:3, winning a nice trophy for third F70.
Stormy Exmouth
The start of the winter series of 5 mile races in Exmouth on Wednesday evening could not have faced more challenging conditions. The brutal wind and rain was so horrific the organisers halved the distance to 2.5 miles (1 lap). Matt Frost managed eighth place in 14:56.
Devon Duathlon Double
Luke Reed was second overall and first M40 in the sprint version of this Sportiva event, held in East Budleigh, with Haydn Boehm 18th overall and second M40 in the standard length event consisting of a run, bike, run.
Milestones at parkrun
At Seaton parkrun Carolyn Nation celebrated her 100th and Katharine Moran her 50th event. Both now qualify for their milestone T-shirts. Kerry Board was third female, sporting her 100 milestone T shirt achieved last week! AVRs Keith Agland, Haydn Boehm, Carol Austin and Katharine Moran also helped with pacing duties this week which was exceptionally challenging in the stormy conditions.
England Masters Qualification
Carol Austin has been selected to represent England at the Chester Half-Marathon next May following her result at the Bath half-marathon last month. She will be the fifth AVR to achieve this recognition.
Sugar Loaf
Further afield, Richard Hale was among the 101 finishers at the Winter Sugar Loaf Fell Race in the Black Mountains of South Wales. The six-mile hilly route included a cold wind and mist at the 596m summit and was a mix of slippery grass and muddy stoney tracks. Richard finished 90th and second M70 in 1:14:32.
