Drogo delight for AVR
There was a tremendous turn-out for AVR at the Drogo 10, a multi-terrain race around the beautiful countryside of Castle Drogo Estate. The start and finish was at the National Trust Estate with stunning views of the River Teign. Half of all the entry fee went towards maintenance of the Estate.
It was a sunny start to the race but soon the rain was falling adding to the muddy and challenging conditions underfoot after the recent stormy weather. More than 400 runners completed the race that attracted some high calibre competitors.
First AVR home was Andrew Snook in seventh place in 1:09.35, third M40. First female for AVR was Kerry Board in an excellent 1:30.08 which was also second F45. Eleanor Wood was second F65 in 1:31.50 with Rupert Pady also taking an age-group second, M55, in 1:22.56. Rob Collier was third M50 and an excellent 36th overall in 1:18.03; Karen Eyre taking the female equivalent, 3rd F50 in 1:34.20; Dawn Carrah was third F60 in 1:44.25 while Andy West took third M65 in 1:35.13.
More photos on our facebook page courtesy of Wayne Tooze.
Full results are available here
Seventh heaven for Seaton parkrun
The sun shone for the seventh birthday celebrations at Seaton parkrun on Saturday. The conditions could not have been more different to the previous weekend when the carnage from Storm Ciaran caused the cancellation of the event.
It was thanks to the incredible clearing up work by East Devon District Council’s Street Scene team that this weekend’s parkrun could go ahead. The team cleared all the pebbles and beach debris from the Esplanade. Volunteers from parkrun also had to replace, restore, locate and clean a lot of equipment following the damage done to the store-room by the enormous waves and wind of the storm.
The pebble sections were rather ‘lumpier’ than usual and more than 40 volunteers supported the 228 runners and walkers, ensuring their safety and giving the usual Seaton welcome.
As it was a birthday there was, of course, fancy dress and cake. Winner of the best outfit was Louise Rawlins who came as a coffee cup reflecting the parkrun ethos that “it was always about the coffee”.
For AVR, first female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 21.00 while Janet Cullum was second on age-grade with 78% for her 28.58. Despite the challenging pebbles this week, there were PBs for Pam Goddard in 30.10 and Rebecca King in 34.47. Bec Davey celebrated her 100thparkrun in a fabulous 7 of hearts outfit while Lindsey Freathy reached her 100 volunteer stints at Seaton receiving the prized hat.
After the run, a fantastic cake made by Kathryn Thompson was cut by Event Directors, Tony Smith and Carol Austin. The seven years of parkrun have been excellently supported by AVR with 276 members having completed the 5k; between them amassing an amazing 10815 runs plus the all-important volunteering required every week.
