Yeovilton – final summer hoorah
There was a good showing of AVRs at the final event of the Yeovilton Summer 5k Series held on Wednesday with the team sweeping the board in the M40 category. First AVR home, in ninth overall, was Duncan Staddon in 16.37 and first M40. Second M40, 13th overall, was Matt Orsman in 16.54 with third M40, Richard Hardy, 18th overall in 17.15. Joel Seward, on the comeback trail after a cricket induced break, was 12th finisher in 16.49. Rob Collier was an impressive 27th, second M50 in 17.48. Matt Frost, recovering from the Great North Run, was 29th in 17.58 with David Cull taking fourth M40 in 18.04, 33rd overall. Adrian Strawbridge was delighted with a PB of 19.54. Rupert Pady was 78th in 21.07.
On the women’s side, Karen Eyre was 26th female in 22.08 with Suzi Blackett 30th for her impressive PB of 23.10.
Glastonbury: but not as you know it!
Five AVRs ventured into Somerset for the Glastonbury Levels 10k and 10 mile races on a very wet Sunday. Both races share the same, flat, fast course around, but not up, the famous Glastonbury Tor.
Joel Seward chose the longer option coming an excellent third place in 59:51. Ian Kinnersley was 15th in the 10 mile event, scooping first M60. There were 50 finishers in the 10 mile race with just over a 100 taking the shorter, 10k option.
In the 10k Adrian Strawbridge was 29th in 43.58, running on tired legs after the Yeovilton 5k. Louise Rawlins was delighted to improve on last year’s time finishing just shy of her PB in 55.18, 72nd place, but with still enough energy to jump into one of the many puddles following the biblical rainstorm! Ron Seward was 38th in a great time of 46.39, second M70.
Chippenham Half
Tom Parsons completed the Chippenham Half Marathon in 1:53.15, a time he was very happy with after a post-Jurassic Ultra injury and reduced training while travelling around Europe!
He describes it as a great flat course perfect for a PB in the future. And the biblical rain didn’t reach Wiltshire until the early afternoon, so running conditions were perfect! One for the future, AVRs!
Seaton parkrun
It was a damp morning on Saturday but the very heavy rain held off as just over 200 parkrunners enjoyed the best possible start to the weekend. First female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 20.47 with Luke Reed third overall in 18.21. First on age grade was Eleanor Wood with a huge 88% for her 23.32 finish. There were PBs for Andy Broom in 26.06 and Jason Hill in 34.24. Susan Wall celebrated her 50 parkrun milestone.
On the roads, Simon and Bec Davey completed Ashton Court parkrun; Kevin Feeney and Sarah Shepley secured their ‘E’ and a great day out at the Eden Project parkrun; Tim and Amie Sibley ran Fell Foot parkrun while in the Lake District; Mark Spraggs did Penrose parkrun in Cornwall; and Tony Smith and Sam Miller visited South Norwood parkrun in London, one towards the ‘Compass club’!
