Double Delight at Westdown Wander
AVR’s Kerry Board was second female and Lee Moran third male at the inaugural Westdown Wander, a multi-terrain race of just under ten miles starting and finishing on Exmouth seafront. Conditions were grey but mild and dry, though recent heavy rains ensured squelchy and slippery surfaces on much of the route, which started with a good section of the beach, took in the coast path climb to Orcombe Point as well as some of the Exmouth to Budleigh railway path on the return journey.
Fourteen AVRs were amongst the 130 finishers for the race yesterday organised by Exmouth Harriers and replacing the Bicton Blister. Angus Menter, currently without a club, won the men’s race with Roger Easterbrook of Teignbridge Trotters second. The Trotters had a good day out as Susanna Goffe and Mandy Wheeler also took the first and third women’s prizes for the club.
Kerry Board won the second female place prize (23rd overall and also first F45). in a brilliant 1:16:32. And her result also secures her first place in the InStep Devon Championship so many congratulations to Kerry.
First AVR back was Lee Moran in 1:05:26, taking the men’s third place prize and first M40. Both Kerry and Lee took home environmentally-friendly, edible prizes of beautiful seasonal vegetable boxes. Hats off to the organisers, Exmouth Harriers for that initiative.
Next in was Patrick Rosello, 27th in 1:27.22 then the ever impressive Eleanor Wood, fifth female (31st 1:19:07 & first F65), closely followed by Andy West (42nd 1:22:32). James Hawker (1:24:45), Ron Seward (1:26:58, first M70) and Jeremy Slade (1:28:51) put in impressive performances to finish 47th, 56th & 61st overall. Storming Suzi Blackett was 69th (1:30:52) and Steve Lewis 72nd (1:32:41). Martin Sawer was 81st in 1:36.57 with Lindsey & Simon Freathy (1:41:38 & 1:41:39) coming over the line together 91st & 92nd and Bob Carter finished the AVR procession in 97th place (1:44:56).
The runners were accompanied during part of the race by a bagpiper out to remember Doddie Weir, the rugby legend who died on Saturday of Motor Neurone Disease. A lovely touch.
Gusty parkrun
Ritchie Durrant was third finisher in 17:56 at Seaton parkrun, which returned after its week off due to engineering works on the Esplanade. It wasn’t a PB day with the strong wind certainly playing its part. Congratulations to Sam Tooze and Paula Cooke who both celebrated their 50 milestones on Saturday.
