Axmouth welcomes AVR
There was a huge turnout of AVRs supporting the Axmouth Challenge which raises money for the community village hall. With one mile, three mile, five and nine mile options there was a race suitable for most. All races started with a wicked steep uphill before dividing up and circling the gorgeous countryside above the village. The weather was perfect with chilly sunshine and little wind and the recent cold, dry spell had improved the conditions underfoot.
With the nine-mile option forming part of the 2024 club challenge there were a good percentage of AVRs amongst the 116 finishers. Wayne Loveridge of Chard Road Runners and Debbie Whiston of AVR were the winners with Wayne coming home in 54:36 and Debbie in 1:04.55. Second male was Michael Legg of Crewkerne followed by six AVRs headed by Matt Clist in third place in 56:12 and, last year’s winner, Rich Hardy, who once again ran ten miles to the start of the race, in fourth in 57:30.
The five-mile race was won by AVR’s Simon Dimmock in 42:22 with Amy Waterson first female in 46:29. AVR’s Simon Freathy was third, second AVR, in 46:30 with 28 finishers.
Full results are here
The three and one-mile races attracted mainly junior runners.
AVR also provided the timers, back markers for each race, and some marshals. Soup, tea, bacon butties and cakes were served in the village hall for runners, spectators and helpers adding to the lovely community feel to the event. A big thank you to all the organisers for another successful day.
Cornish Ultra
Julia Mallon took part in the Endurance Life North Cornwall Ultra on Saturday taking on 32 challenging miles of the beautiful Cornish coast path. The race started in Polzeath running along the coast path to Treligga and back again. It was very tough with 7,000 feet of elevation but the scenery was stunning. Finishing in 8:11:16 59th place from the 63 that completed it, Julia was also the first V50 female.
Worldwide parkruns for AVR
In Seaton it was very chilly day but still more than 200 ran, walked or jogged parkrun. Luke Reed was first finisher in 17:56 which also placed him third on age grade with 78%. Debbie Whiston was first female in 21:39. Second on age grade with 79% was Carol Austin for her 24:36. There were PBs for Pam Goddard in 29:17 and Shirley Goy in 43:33.
Paul Lloyd took part in Heartlands parkrun in Cornwall while Jon Day went to Teignmouth Promenade parkrun and Ian Smith tackled Northwich parkrun in Cheshire.
Further afield, Diane and Graham Newton took advantage of still being “Down Under” this week to take part in the lovely but rather undulating Risdon Brook parkrun, near Hobart, Tasmania. It was a family affair for them as they were joined by their son, Adam and granddaughter, Saskia. For Graham it was his first run in his new age category and he set a new course record for the M75-79 in 26.09, with Diane coming in 40:30 and third in her hotly contested over 70s age group. Adam and first-timer, Saskia, both finished first in their age categories making it a clean sweep for three generations of Newtons.
