The 2022 AVR awards and annual Christmas celebration was held on Saturday evening with a nod to the 1980s as runners wore fancy dress and enjoyed food from the decade.

New chair, Haydn Boehm, fetching as Freddie Mercury, introduced the winners, nominated by the members for performances and other achievements throughout the year.  Club captains, Eleanor Wood and Matt Hewer presented the beautiful pottery mugs, made by local potter, Gilly Humphreys.

First up Ron Seward and Kerry Board were crowned male and female runner of the year.  Ron has had an excellent year winning the InStep Devon Championships for M70 and securing a number of M70 victories throughout the year.  Kerry has had a tremendous year smashing all her PBs from parkrun 5k right up to half-marathon and sealed the year as the overall female winner of the InStep Devon series.

Most Improved Female went to Suzi Blackett for her continuous improvement throughout the year and excellent results in several local races.  Matt Frost, who took the Most Improved Male, only joined AVR this year, and has trained and raced consistently achieving goals across short and long distances.

Club Person is awarded for contributions to the club and this year went to Cliff Marriott who has led and coordinated two “Couch to 5K” programmes; supported the ever-increasing “Run-Shiners” group encouraging many from this group to take part in races. He has, with partner Pam, also organised Halloween and Christmas fancy-dress runs.

The Founders award recognises determination and effort to achieve a significant goal. This year’s recipient, Laura Kerr, did this in spades! Despite two back surgeries, she ran a massive PB at the London marathon and also raised money for charity all alongside looking after three children, two dogs and developing a successful hairdressing career.

Ben Stone took the President’s Shield, awarded for a specific outstanding achievement, for winning the East Devon Round – a 65 mile race in which he set a new course record and won by some 20 minutes over the second finisher.  A phenomenal achievement.

The Chair’s Award is awarded by the chair and Haydn Boehm presented this to previous Chair, Lesley Adams who was at the helm of the club during the pandemic providing the necessary leadership to ensure the club got through the difficulties presented but also developed in terms of numbers and inclusivity.  This award was met by a stadium ovation from all on the night.

Other awards included a Team award for the Men’s 60 team at the Exe Relays; the annual Handicap which was won by Paula Cooke and the Winter 5k Series won by Adrian Strawbridge.

Strong AVR show at the Wellington Monument

Following a two year break due to Covid this popular race returned in challenging weather conditions as the runners tackled the 10k around the bridle path and lanes of Hemyock.

Despite attending the Christmas party the night before, Ron Seward (81st in 51.40) and Eleanor Wood (61st in 48.21) again showed that age is no barrier by picking up first prize in the M70 and F65 respectively.

First to finish from AVR was Joel Seward in 38.14 in ninth place with Richard Hardy 10th in 38.16.  Matt Hewer was 19th in 40.10 with Matt Frost hot on his heels in 23rd in 40.39. These four ensured AVR took second place in the team rankings, losing out to SWRR

Jason Potter was 56th in 47.13 and Cory Schultze was 126th in 61.30.

 

AVR Carols for Care-Homes

On Saturday a group from AVR dressed in their best festive attire toured Seaton’s five care-homes singing Carols for the residents.  Appropriately they ran between the homes and finished the morning with mince pies and mulled wine on the Esplanade.  Big thanks to Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard for organising this annual event.

  

Ice causes parkrun cancellation

 Seaton parkrun fell victim of the icy conditions on Saturday after a rain shower just as volunteers were setting up caused the Esplanade to freeze over.

There will be a parkrun in Seaton on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day this year, at 9am.  Also, on Saturday 31 December but there will not be one in Seaton on New Year’s Day.

To check parkrun events locally and further afield over the festive period visit https://www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/

Lucy Watkinson was second F40 and Kerry Board took the bronze in the F45 category at the Devon County Cross Country Championships held yesterday adjacent to Exeter Arena.  Patrick Devine-Wright was second M50.  In stacked fields and Baltic temperatures these were all excellent results and the winners were rewarded with medal presentations from Olympian and European Champion, Jo Pavey.  Matt Frost and Tim Lenton also took part in the men’s senior event.

Freezing Full Montycute

Matt Clist was a magnificent second overall and first M40 at the Full Montycute in 1:09.35 on a freezing morning on Ham Hill.  The course, which takes in Ham Hill Country Park and is held with the kind permission of the National Trust, included some 1500 feet of elevation.

Rob Collier, first M50 and Eleanor Wood, first F55, were the other prize-winners for AVR in a race won by Wayne Loveridge of Chard Road Runners.  The race, which saw 247 finishers, was organised by Crewkerne Running Club.

Rik Tumber finished in an excellent eighth in 1:15.03 just pipping Richard Hardy, ninth in 1:15.22.  Rob Collier came in 15^th in 1:20.11 with Eleanor Wood, in 60^th in 1:33.58.

The other AVR results were:  Haydn Boehm, 1:32.56 in 56^th; Simon Davey, 1:36.59 in 74^th; Ian Kinnersley, 77^th in 1:37.58; Jeremy Larcombe, 109^th in 1:44.38; Ron Seward, 135^th in 1:49.51; and John Larcombe, 208^th in 2:05.88.

Christmas cheer for Joel

Joel Seward was third, with the very apt race number 3333, at the Weston Christmas Cracker, a flat, fast 10k run on beach and tarmac in Weston Super Mare.

Chilly morning for parkrun

It was a mighty cold start to Saturday for the 169 finishers at Seaton parkrun so a special shout-out to the volunteers who turn out whatever the weather to support this event.  Matt Frost was first finisher in 18:43 and there were PBs for Simon Freathy in 21:05; Viv Blumfield in 29:52 and Jayne Tumber in 35:05.  Thanks also to the AVRs, Rob Collier, Rik Tumber, Keith Agland, Vicki Wraight, Haydn Boehm and Katharine Moran for their excellent pacing.

Congratulations to Sam Halls on reaching her 100 milestone and to Tony Smith who achieved his 50 at a spot of parkrun tourism last weekend at Parke in Bovey Tracey.

 

Terry Emmett and Joel Seward travelled up to the Cotswolds to run the fast, flat Castle Coombe 10k which is a multi-lap race circuit.

Both AVRs finished in podium positions with Terry in second in a brilliant 33:51 and Joel taking third in 35:21; outstanding performances in a high-quality field.

Colydog supports Children in Need

On Friday, around 50 AVRs ran the now famous ‘Colydog’ Strava art route around Colyton and Colyford in aid of BBC’s Children in Need and in memory of Tim and Amie Sibley’s collie, Rosie.  A massive £334 has been raised so far for the charity and a great evening finished with fish and chips and a drink at the Kingfisher.  Huge thanks to Tim, Amie and Matt Hewer for leading the groups.

A chance for parkrun tourism

With Seaton parkrun cancelled due to beach engineering works closing a big section of the route, many took the opportunity for a spot of parkrun tourism with AVRs at Exeter Riverside, Killerton, Exmouth, Haldon Forest, Frogmary, St Mary’s Bridport, Longrun Meadow Taunton, and Cranbrook. Luke Reed celebrated his 50^th parkrun with a PB and third finisher at Exmouth in 17:08.

All AVR results at parkrun events can be found here: https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1863

 

 AVR dominated the podiums at the Templer-10, a multi-terrain ten mile race around Stover Country Park.  Torrential rain in the hour prior to the race made the conditions tricky as the mostly flat route took in river paths, fields and finished in the school sports field.

In the men’s race it was a clean sweep for AVR with Terry Emmett the overall winner in a brilliant 1:00.40.  He also scooped first M40.  Hot on his heels in second overall, and second M40, was Matt Clist in 1:01.07.  Joel Seward completed the hat-trick with third in 1:02.02 (and first Senior Man).

Ellie Dominey was second female and first F35 in 1:12.36.  Eleanor Wood was eighth female and first F65 in 1:19.20.  Tenth overall was Richard Hardy in 1:04.13 chased home by Matt Orsman in 1:04.56, 12^th and first M45.  Rob Collier was 16^th and took the M50 crown in 1:08.40 just behind Matt Frost, 15^th in 1:08.12.  Completing the AVR roll of honour was Ron Seward, second M70 in 1:27.26 with Steve Lewis 105^th finisher, fourth M70, in 1:34.24.

Not content with ten individual prizes, AVR also nabbed first place for the men’s A team of Terry Emmett, Matt Clist, Joel Seward and Richard Hardy; and third for the B team of Matt Orsman, Matt Frost, Rob Collier and Ron Seward.   The event was very well organised by Teignbridge Trotters with 177 runners completing the race.

Big AVR turnout in Sidmouth

There was a good turnout of AVRs at the Sidmouth 10k on Sunday which started and finished in Sidford, taking in the beautiful Byes, and then a stinger of a Salcombe Hill loop before heading back on the flat.  The weather was wet, windy and wild for the 265 runners.

Simon Freathy was first AVR home in 32^nd place in 46:29 followed by Laura Kerr in 50.01, ninth woman. Lyndsey Freathy 107^th, 55:14; Adele Girdwood 118^th, 55:52; Cliff Marriott 134^th, 57:32; Viv Blumfield 211^th, in a PB of 1:08.18; Sarah Whelan 223^rd, 1:10.03; Kate Slater 231^st, 1:10.54; Aileen Heal 234^th, 1:12.00; Dave Whelan 263^rd, 1:27.20 and Kate Patay 265^th, 1:30.11 were the other AVR finishers.  The race was organised by Sidmouth RC.

 

 

Diane’s delight at Bideford 10

Diane Newton travelled to North Devon to take part in the Bideford 10, a ten-mile race along the Tarka Trail with superb views of the Taw and Torridge Estuary.  It was a wet and windy morning but luckily the clouds cleared just in time for the start from Bideford Town Centre. The race attracted some 500 runners and was won by Olympian steeplechaser Phil Norman in 49:58. Diane was very pleased to finish in 2:05:3, winning a nice trophy for third F70.

Stormy Exmouth

The start of the winter series of 5 mile races in Exmouth on Wednesday evening could not have faced more challenging conditions. The brutal wind and rain was so horrific the organisers halved the distance to 2.5 miles (1 lap).  Matt Frost managed eighth place in 14:56.

 

Devon Duathlon Double

Luke Reed was second overall and first M40 in the sprint version of this Sportiva event, held in East Budleigh, with Haydn Boehm 18^th overall and second M40 in the standard length event consisting of a run, bike, run.

 

Milestones at parkrun

At Seaton parkrun Carolyn Nation celebrated her 100^th and Katharine Moran her 50^th event.  Both now qualify for their milestone T-shirts.  Kerry Board was third female, sporting her 100 milestone T shirt achieved last week! AVRs Keith Agland, Haydn Boehm, Carol Austin and Katharine Moran also helped with pacing duties this week which was exceptionally challenging in the stormy conditions.

 

England Masters Qualification

Carol Austin has been selected to represent England at the Chester Half-Marathon next May following her result at the Bath half-marathon last month.  She will be the fifth AVR to achieve this recognition.

 

Sugar Loaf

Further afield, Richard Hale was among the 101 finishers at the Winter Sugar Loaf Fell Race in the Black Mountains of South Wales. The six-mile hilly route included a cold wind and mist at the 596m summit and was a mix of slippery grass and muddy stoney tracks. Richard finished 90th and second M70 in 1:14:32.

 

After Saturday’s thunderstorms there were a number a puddles to negotiate during the Weymouth 10. The course consisted of an outward run along the promenade followed by two toughs loops around the hills of Bowleaze.  Runners then retraced their steps along the seafront, albeit into a tortuous headwind

Ron Seward finished 62^nd in 1:23:40 coming away with the MV70 trophy.

In his first event as an AVR, Darrell Farley, finished in 1:26.33 (72^nd).  A total of 154 runners took part in the event, organised by Egdon Harriers.

 

Turkey triumph

Ragnhild Richards ran the Kas half marathon in Turkey, a stunning and hilly road race around the marina and out on the peninsula.  She was pleased with her time, 2:16.30 which was a 16 second improvement on three years ago and secured her first F60+, although she confesses she was the only F60+!

Celebrations at parkrun

 Bob Carter celebrated his 50^th parkrun at Seaton on Saturday along with his 50^thvolunteering stint.  Niall McNeice completed his 100^th parkrun after being struck with an injury a few months ago while on 99.  On Saturday he ran with wife, Natalie, who is also on the comeback trail after a couple of serious leg injuries.

Steve Lewis nabbed a PB in 25:37 while first finisher was AVR’s Richard Hardy in 17:09.

Tough conditions for the off roaders

Richard Hale was one of 30 finishers in the 7-mile Ponty Plod race in South Wales, a multi terrain race with the usual steep hills, wet, muddy and stony tracks and gullies to navigate. He finished 12^th  overall taking first 1^st MV70 spot in 1:20:35.

Even further north, James Green tackled the Buttermere Shepherds Meet, a 5k ‘out/up and back’ with 2000ft of climb that summits Robinson from Gatesgarth farm at the head of the Buttermere valley. The weather was torrential and blustery.

Here he describes the experience: “The 20-minute flog to the summit was straight forward enough. There was a short jog at the start and a painfully slow jog for the final 150 yds to the summit but the rest was rarely more than a hike with intermittent clasping at bracken with my hands to maintain the momentum. I started nearer the back in a field of about 80 runners. Once into the proper climbing I grew in confidence to finally arrive in fifth spot at the top. With the preservation of my limbs for next week’s OMM in mind, a ‘conservative approach’ to the descent saw me drop back to 13th. I can most definitely recommend the thrill of an event like this. The descent was bonkers, even at my conservative pace and left me with a crooked grin despite falling several times in the gorse. I’ll be back for another one!”  Best of luck in the big one next week James.