AVR dominate Axmouth Challenge
Conditions were good for Sunday’s Axmouth Challenge with the freezing temperatures giving way to slightly milder weather with plenty of mud underfoot. There were nine-mile, five-mile and three-mile races on offer and a one-mile fun run all starting and finishing at the village hall. Mixed terrain, hilly and muddy meant it was great training for the Grizzly and Cub events. A huge turnout of AVRs supported the event with timers, back markers and helpers as well as many racing.
Chard Road Runner, Wayne Loveridge was the comfortable winner of the nine-mile race finishing in 56:00. Then followed a host of AVRs headed by Matt Clist, in second, also first M45, in 57:13 and Ritchie Durrant in third in 58:02. These were followed by Andrew Snook fourth and first M40 in 1:01.06; Max Richardson fifth in 1:02.43; Matt Hewer sixth and second M45 in 1:04.50 and Rob Collier seventh and first M55 in 1:0715.
Honiton RC dominated the women’s podium. Fourth female and first AVR female was Eleanor Wood, also first F65, in 1:20.01. Other AVR age group firsts were Ian Kinnersley, first M60, in 1:16.51; Jacqui Stokes first F40 in 1:24.20; and David King, first M70 in 1:26.39.
The five-mile race was won by AVR’s Simon Dimmock and Charlotte Bailey in 37:27 and 58:10 respectively.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
With so many events cancelled further north, it was with relief that Seaton parkrun took place with conditions very cold but not icy. AVR’s Joel Seward and Debbie Whiston were first finishers in 17:23 and 21.11 respectively with Debbie also third on age-grade with 76%. Mark Parsons got a shiny new PB of 22:42 and congratulations to Helen Boehm who reached her 100 milestone.
With the Axmouth Challenge the following day many AVRs took the opportunity to volunteer. Ron Seward, who was volunteering, also received his In Step Devon award for first M70 in 2024 from club chair Haydn Boehm and In Step Devon third female and first F65, Eleanor Wood.
James Ashforth travelled to the Eden Project to enjoy their parkrun and the centre. Tom Parsons took part in the Marine Parade parkrun in Weston Super Mare. There was a posse of AVRs at Frogmary Green with Aaron and Louise Rawlins, Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady taking part. Craig Tiley and Paul Johns visited the inaugural Greendale Farm Shop parkrun.
And finally …
Innes Fitzgerald continued her fantastic form indoors by breaking the British U20 3000m record with 8:48.30 in Cardiff.
