South West Shenanigans for AVR
Right across the south-west this weekend AVRs were racing with considerable success. From Bodmin to Bideford and Sidmouth to Somerset AVRs had it covered!
All for the Cornish pasty!
On Sunday, Jeremy Slade and Tim Sibley ventured across the border into Cornwall to run the Cornish Marathon, now in its 40th year. It is a challenging, hilly route with runners rewarded with wonderful views of Bodmin Moor and Cornwall, looping from Pensilva to Golitha falls and Jamaica Inn. The conditions were good and the threatened drizzle didn’t come. The autumn colours were lovely and it was a very well marshalled event with runners receiving a medal, hoodie and a tasty Cornish pasty after their 26.2 mile effort.
Both AVRs had great runs with Jeremy setting a huge marathon PB of 4:33:53 to finish 202nd, some 16 minutes quicker than last year. Tim also had a brilliant run to finish in an excellent 56th in 3:35:17. There were 378 finishers.
Bideford 10 – flat and fast!
Six AVRs ventured up to north Devon to compete in the Bideford 10 – a ten-mile, mainly flat route along the Tarka Trail starting and finishing in the town. There is a small hill as the runners head out of the town giving magnificent views of the Taw and Torridge Estuary. Always a well-organised race by Bideford AAC and attracting a competitive field, Sunday’s event was won by international steeplechaser, Phil Norman in 49:57.
First home for AVR was Rich Hardy, 17th in 56:52, fourth M40 followed by Ryan Snell, 20th in 57:35 taking the third M45 prize. Matt Frost and Matt Hewer were neck and neck with Matt Frost finishing in 40th in 1:00.47 and Matt Hewer in 1:00.51 in 42nd. These four were all using the event as part of their marathon training.
Diane and Graham Newton also had excellent runs after the disappointment of the cancellation of the Great South Run due to Storm Ashley. Graham was third M75 in 1:22.05 and Diane fourth F75 in 2:15.42.
Beautiful Byes – Sidmouth 10K
Five AVRs opted for the short trip to Sidford to take part in the Sidmouth 10k organised by LM Events. The race, which started at Sidford Social Hall, takes runners along the scenic Byes, adjacent to the River Sid, to the seafront and along the Esplanade before returning the same way. However, it also includes an evil steep hilly loop in each direction!
Joel Seward was first AVR home taking third place after a great race with the lead pack finishing in 36:46, some 43 seconds quicker than last year. Richard Coffey was 62nd in 51:26 while Carol Austin, returning from injury, was 16th female and second F55 in 52:46. Lee Brooker was 105th in 56:09 with Matt Chenery 111th in 56:27. There were wooden medals for the 266 finishers.
Herepath Half – the people’s path!
Five AVRs travelled up to Somerset for this challenging trail half marathon organised by Taunton’s Running Forever RC and forming part of the Somerset Race Series. The route follows the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath Trail in the Blackdown Hills for around 13.7 miles. The trail reaches the highest point in the Blackdown Hills to give fabulous views.
Herepaths were originally important trade and communication routes between settlements during the ninth century – they are often referred to as people’s paths.
First AVR home was Rob Collier in an excellent 12th place in 1:43.29 followed by Karen Eyre, 34th in 1:55.37; Eleanor Wood, 58th in 2:06.49 first F60; Zoe and Rob Harp 106th and 107th in 2:21.38. There were 177 finishers.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a grey but still morning for Seaton parkrun on Saturday with 274 finishers. AVR’s Debbie Whiston was first female and second on age grade in 20:16, 79%. There were PBs for Mark Parsons in 23:38, Sue Hodge in 25:45, Sarah Farmer in 28:14 and Liz Curley in 31:29.
Further afield Tom Parsons nabbed his Z at Zegerplas parkrun in Alphen aan den Rejn in The Netherlands. He was delighted with a 21:26 PB. Meanwhile also on the alphabet challenge, Carolyn Nation was in Jersey for her J leaving her with just one letter to go. Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Brueton parkrun in Solihull while Paul Johns was just down the road at Oaklands in Birmingham. Jon and Gill Day took part in the new Simmons parkrun in Okehampton and Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard ran Central parkrun in Plymouth.
