Mendip muddy madness

With the effects of Storm Ashley wiping out many events including the Great South Run it is a short round-up this week.

Storm Ashley was at its peak as AVR’s  Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady took to the start line for the Mendip Muddle, a tough 20k multi-terrain race in the Mendip Hills starting at Blagdon.  The route is described as scenic with a 420m climb and stunning views, a nature reserve, conifer forest and an iron age fort.  However with the wind and driving rain and hail of Sunday runners just wanted to see the finish line.  Finishing in an excellent ninth place, Rupert Pady was first M50 in 1:40.07 while Karen Eyre, despite feeling tired after organising the ColyTEN last week, also ran exceptionally well to finish eighth female and first F50 in 1:58.17.  Both won a large tub of chocolates.

The race, which attracted 137 finishers, forms part of the Somerset Series of 18 races from which runners must complete eight to be in the final standings.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

On Saturday the perfect conditions attracted another big turnout to Seaton with 280 finishers. Many AVRs completed the parkrun before, as part of or after a longer run clearly aware of Storm Ashley’s arrival on Sunday!  First AVR home was Rich Hardy, second finisher, in 17:47 just pipping Harry McMahon into the third finisher spot in 17:50.  Debbie Whiston was second female in 20:12.  Eleanor Wood with an amazing 90% was first on age-grade for her 23:33.

There were PBs for Zoe Harp in 25:35; Helen Boehm in 30:51; and Shirley Goy in 31:05.

Further afield Kerry Board, fresh from her brilliant Chicago marathon last week, took part in Roosevelt Island DC parkrun  in Washington, finishing fourth woman on her tired legs in 23:20.  Luke Freathy took part in Durham parkrun while Craig Tiley completed Nothwich parkrun and Andy Goy ran Peter Pan parkrun in Hull.   Closer to home, Patrick Devine-Wright and Rupert Pady did Killerton parkrun and Georgie Ryan and Steve Saunders enjoyed the fast Exmouth parkrun.