Ax Minster means business
After a gap of five years the Minster Challenge returned on Saturday with Axe Valley Runners dominating both podiums in the 12k multi-terrain race. Rich Hardy in 48:32 and Karen Eyre in 1:01.30 were the winners with AVR also taking the first seven male spots and five out of seven of the first female finishes.
It is a very challenging route, starting and finishing in Axminster, which then meanders out of the town into the beautiful surrounding countryside with climbs up Stammery Hill and Lodge Lane and a return via the aptly named Evil Lane! Despite the beautiful weather on the day runners faced a lot of mud, camber and flint underfoot.
Completing the men’s podium were Max Richardson, second in 49:04 and James Green, third in 49:35. AVR also had almost a clean sweep of the men’s age group crowns with Rich Hardy, also first M40; Ryan Snell first M45 in 51:20; Richard Jackson, first M50 in 1:05.14; Rob Collier first M55 in 53:00; Ian Kinnersley first M60 in 1:04.59; Mike Wadsworth first M65 in 1:05.03 and Kevin Feeney first M70 in 1:20.45.
On the women’s side, Kerry Board was third in 1:03.47 with Eleanor Wood fifth and first F65 in 1:07.54. Other age group winners were Karen Eyre, first F50; Jacqui Stokes first F45 in 1:10.06; Sarah Coates first F35 in 1:10.36; Ann Coston first F55 in 1:16.56; and Ragnhild Richards first F60 in 1:17.00.
Big thanks go to Ruby Red Running for reviving the event, Axe Valley Academy for hosting and AVR for providing the MC, Haydn Boehm. There were 87 finishers in the 12k race with 5k and children’s races also available. For the AVRs the race formed part of this year’s club challenge. Full results.
Yeovil Half and 10k
It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning for the Yeovil Half Marathon and 10k which both start and finish in the centre of the Somerset town. Five AVRs popped over the border to take part. The routes are tough and undulating on country lanes surrounding Montacute House, the beautiful NT mansion house adjacent to Ham Hill.
In the 13.1 miler, Joel Seward came in a fantastic fourth place, nabbing a PB, of 1:14.57 which sets him up very well for the London Marathon in four weeks. Matt Hewer, also with eyes on the Capital’s big race, was 20th and second M45 in 1:20.51. Simon McClennan ran an excellent 1:32.47 to finish 93rd and secure himself a PB. Ron Seward finished in 1:53.16, fourth M70.
Meanwhile in the 10k Fiona Seward finished in 1:01.13 and third F70.
Coastal Splendour
Cathy Brenton took part in the Total Coastal Half Marathon on Saturday with a finishing time of 3:26:43 for the tough 13.1 miles of the South West Coast Path between Torquay and Shaldon.
The race started at Preston Green, then meandered through Torquay, onto the SWCP towards Babbacombe so the views were stunning but the terrain very challenging. The weather was perfect and helped especially with the last three hardest and toughest miles into Shaldon. Cathy, who finished in 60th from the 85 who took part, describes it as a great event with a generous cut-off and well organised by Winding Paths.
Not contend with 13.1 miles, James Hawker and Patrick Rosello took part in the ultra, 50k event which started in Kingswear, also following the Coast Path through Brixham and Paignton before joining the half marathon route to finish in Shaldon. Patrick was 45th in 7:14.43 with James 57th in 7:47.51 with 116 completing the longer race.
Gloucester Half
Matt Frost completed the Gloucester Half Marathon in 1:20.30, 38th place in the event which starts and finishes in Gloucester Park in the cathedral city. More than 1700 took part in the race with the route taking runners around the city centre passing the cathedral before heading out on closed roads and the canal towpath.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was another sunny day in Seaton with 223 finishers at the parkrun. AVR’s Debbie Whiston was first female finisher in 21:00 and second on age-grade with 77% despite using it as part of a three-hour marathon training run. Lily Sibley nabbed another PB of 34.03.
Out and about Tom Parsons enjoyed Chippenham parkrun; Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard completed Frimley Lodge parkrun; Craig Tiley took part in Lydiard parkrun while Sean Vinnicombe enjoyed the beautiful but challenging Lanhydrock parkrun in Cornwall and John Whittaker ran Exeter Riverside parkrun. Sam Miller and Tony Smith completed the stunning Mount Edgcumbe parkrun, surely in everyone’s top three events.
And finally …
Jake Smith and friends gave the Derry City parkrun team a bit of a surprise with seven of them breaking 17 minutes and Jake taking almost a minute off the course record with his finish time of 14:17. The group were visting as part of a Stag weekend – definitely not your average stag party! More info: Fast Running