Freezing First Chance
The First Chance 10k, the first event of the 2024 InStep Devon Series, took place in cold but sunny conditions on Sunday. Starting and finishing on Exeter Quay the event, organised by South West Road Runners, was a sell-out with almost 600 runners taking part. A flat, fast course of a small then large loop alongside the River Exe the route included a number of tight turns and narrow parts but still saw some very speedy times.
Fourteen AVRs took part with Matt Frost, Tim Sibley and Suzi Blackett starting the year with huge PBs, and Carol Austin securing her best time since 2018 after a string of injuries.
First AVR home in a magnificent 34:41 was Rich Hardy, ninth overall and an excellent second M40. Sixth M40 and 23rd overall was Duncan Staddon in 35:22. Matt Frost was 33rd in 36:26 taking a minute off his PB.
In 113th Tim Sibley, currently in training for next month’s Seville marathon finished in a brilliant 41:36 which bodes well for the big one. Suzi Blackett took a huge three minutes off her PB finishing in 46:54, 13th F40.
In the battle of the F60s, Eleanor Wood finished 3rd F60 in an excellent 46:51 with Carol Austin, fourth F60 in 47:37.
The other AVRs were Ian Kinnersley in 43:11, fifth M60; Kerry Board in 45:05, tenth F40; Andy West, 45:51, 11th M60; Haydn Boehm in 44:35; Alan Hornibrook in 48:23; Shirley Salter and Maxine Sweetman, who ran together, finishing in 1.10:28.
Following the race last year’s InStep Devon Championship prizes were presented with AVR’s Kerry Board picking up overall Female and F45 prize and Suzi Blackett the F35 crown.
Ron Seward, who was unable to attend, won the M70 category with AVR also taking third place in both male and female team champs. After yesterday’s great start AVR will be looking at picking up some more silverware this time next year!
Walter Raleigh Round
Dan Clist and James Hawker enjoyed the winter sunshine and amazing scenery on Saturday completing the Walter Raleigh Round Half Marathon organised by Climb South West. Starting and finishing in Budleigh the route visits the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh and the countryside where he spent time as a child. Using quiet back lanes, country roads, little known footpaths and a disused railway line the course follows the Otter Valley, High Peak and the Jurassic Coast with some 366m of ascent and almost the same descent making it a challenging course and after Storm Henke the terrain was muddy even if the sun was shining.
The two AVRs ran together finishing in a creditable 2:40.47, 95th and 96th out of 146 who completed the event.
Chocs ahoy!
On Sunday across the other side of the world, Diane Newton took part in the Cadbury Half Marathon near Hobart, Tasmania. The race starts in front of the Cadbury factory, making a circuit of the Cadbury estate before setting off alongside the River Derwent across the Booker bridge and back. The event started at 6.30 am in a bid to beat the heat. However, Diane still found it uncomfortably hot. Unfortunately a marshalling error meant that the runners ended up running just over an extra kilometre. Diane finished in 3:15, coming first in the women’s over 70 category. All the runners were presented with a medal and a large bar of Cadbury chocolate.
Seaton parkrun
It was a beautiful chilly day for the first event of 2024 in Seaton with more than 300 enjoying the conditions. As it was pacer day several AVRs were supporting others achieve their targets so big thanks to Keith Agland, Haydn Boehm, Vicki Wraight, Louise Rawlins and Joel Seward for their excellent pacing.
Third finisher and in a brilliant PB time of 18:24 was Max Richardson. First female and second on age grade was Debbie Whiston in 20:17 with Ron Seward third on age grade in 23:45. There were PBs for Simon McClellan in 21:05; Lee Brooker in 27:37 and Shirley Goy in 44:11.
Andy West secured his 100th milestone last week so completing his 101st on Saturday!
Carolyn Nation popped over the border to Newport Wales to complete Riverside parkrun while David and Paula Cooke took part in Birkenhead parkrun.
