Frost smashes PB at Great North

Matt Frost competed at Sunday’s Great North Run, a half-marathon starting in Newcastle and finishing along the seafront in South Shields.  Matt finished in an excellent 1:23.20, 450th, a huge personal best which bodes well for the upcoming London marathon.  The ever-popular Great North Run again attracted more than 50,000 runners.

Golden Cap-tens

Andrew Snook was a brilliant second in the Cap-ten, Bridport Runners’ ten mile race over beautiful Golden Cap, Thorncombe Beacon and Stonebarrow.  He finished the hilly trail run in 1:24.22, just three seconds behind the winner, Adam Kidson from Exeter Harriers. Eleanor Wood was the only other AVR in the race which included a 675m climb and she was a superb fourth woman (first F60) in an incredible 1:50.27.

Alpine success

Richard Jackson completed the Ultra Marathon Wildstrubel 50, part of the UTMB world series in Crans-Montana through the northern Alps of Switzerland.

The race runs from Adelboden at the heart of the Bern canton through to Crans-Montana in the Valais canton.  It runs in the famous Via Alpina through the well-tended alpine pastures of the Bernese Oberland to Lenk, followed by a magnificent but demanding 1400m+ climb to the Rawil Pass (2,427m).

The last downhill sections are along the Lake Tzeuzier to reach the vertiginous and splendid Bisse du Ro.  Richard completed the race in 8hr 33 min finishing 65th in the 45-49 age category.

Seward storms to success in the Run Exe Series

Last Tuesday Matt Frost and Ron Seward took part in the final race of the Run Exe 5km series.  The six-event series of 5k races has taken place during the last six months with the fastest four counting for each runner.  This week Matt was taking it steady prior to the Great North Run whilst Ron was struggling following injury.  Matt clocked 18:30 on the night finishing 14th but for the series he was an excellent fourth.  Ron finished the final event in 24:21 and brilliantly secured first place for the M70 category.

 

Another parkrun PB for Joel

Joel Seward improved his parkrun personal best to 16:42 at Saturday’s Seaton parkrun where he was first finisher.  The event held a minute’s silence to remember Her Majesty The Queen prior to the run.  Congratulations to Alan Morbey who reached the 50-milestone.

From village greens to the Matterhorn via the streets of London

During the last week, AVRs have shone high in the mountains, on the streets of London and Somerset and on the trails around Devon villages – all showing the huge variety and talent within the club.

Runshiners shine in Woodbury

Budleigh Salterton Lions Club organised a lovely scenic and undulating10k at Woodbury Common on Sunday when the wet and windy conditions surprised us runners after such a long hot and sunny period.  Thursday’s RunShiners group had targeted the event, which was actually just over 10k, and were joined by a few other AVR stalwarts.

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First woman and first AVR home in 16th overall was Eleanor Wood in an awesome 53.42.  Pete Hallet was 29thin 58.58.  John Hocking 1.03.53 and Cliff Marriott 1.04.10 finished one after the other followed by Lindsay and Simon Freathy, who ran together, crossing the line in 1.07.10.   Next up was Bob Carter in 1.13.58.  The holy trinity of Louise Rawlins, Sarah Whelan and Zoe Harp finished in 1.28.27 with one of them cartwheeling over the line.  David (Ronnie) Whelan was next AVR in 1.31.16  with Viv Blumfield and Aileen Heal crossing the line hand in hand in 1.34.24.    A total of 124 completed the event which was followed by tea and cake.

Brilliant Bridgewater PB performances

Six AVRs headed up the M5 to compete in the Bridgewater half marathon  and 10k in showers and blustery conditions. More than 300 completed the half marathon which started at the Morganians Rugby Club to the east of the town then headed out to Chedzoy before moving on to the Somerset Levels.  It is mostly flat with some undulations in the first half so is considered a fast course although the wind played its part! Terry Emmet was a magnificent fifth and second M40 in a PB of 1:15:36 with Richard Hardy hot on his heels in seventh in a huge four-minute PB of 1:16:51.

Kerry Board was 14th female and fourth F40 in a tremendous PB of 1:37:58.

Rob Collier came in 40th and fifth (from 42) M50s in 1:25:12 with Ian Kinnersley in 91st spot and an excellent third (from ten) in the M60 category in 1:37:24.

In the 10k, which is basically an out and back of the first 5k of the half marathon course, Kevin Feeney ran an excellent time of 52:50 to finish fourth M60 (from 13 runners) and 28th overall. More than 100 completed the shorter race.

Results: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/Bridgwater22/#1_582180

Big Half in the Big Smoke

The Big Half in London is a half marathon run on much of the London marathon route and a month before the 26 miler is the perfect warm-up.  After taking the victory last year, Jake Smith had to settle for third this year in 62:08 behind Sir Mo Farah and Jack Rowe.  Currently in a big training block ahead of the Valencia half-marathon in six-weeks time, Jake was happy with the tactical racing experience.

Village Fun

The Lustleigh 10k is part of the village’s bank holiday celebrations and this year Eleanor Wood and Henry Smith enjoyed the beautiful hilly route.  Eleanor came in first F55 and fifth woman in 52.09 with Henry in 62.04 pleased to be back racing again.

Ultimate Tour in the Alps

 High in the Italian and Swiss Alps with a backdrop of the Matterhorn, Patrick Devine-Wright took part in a four-day 170KM stage race.  With a 3200m ascent he certainly experienced a ‘runners high’, running/walking at altitude much of the time providing spectacular views, sheer drops and huge climbs. His final time of 27:57.03 was enough for a very impressive fifth place.

Seaton parkrun

At Saturday’s parkrun in Seaton Simon Dimmock was first AVR to finish in 19.44. Joel Seward , followed up last week’s PB by helping out with pacing along with a number of other AVRs.  Steven Lewis achieved a PB with his 25.51 time.  Congratulations to Jeremy Norcombe who ran his 150th parkrun and Louise Rawlins who achieved the 25-volunteer milestone.

Results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/results/latestresults/

AVR in World Masters Success!

Axe Valley runner, David Cooke had an outstanding week at the 24th edition of the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships held earlier this month in Tampere, Finland.   Conditions were very hot with many of the events at the start of the week taking place in excess of 30° C.  In his strongest event, the 400m, Cooke came sixth in the M65  final in a superb time of 61:55, his fastest time since 2008 and a new south-west regional record.  It also places him ninth on the UK all time M65 list.  Cooke, who also reached the 200m and 800m final, represented the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team in both 4 x100m and 4 x 400m relays with the team coming away with the Gold medal in both events.
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David Cooke (3rd from left) at the medal presentation for the M65, 4 x 100m relay where GB won Gold.

Windy Week of Winners

Jason Hyde (photo below) ran the Easter Bunny 10K at RNAS Yeovilton on Easter Monday finishing in 1:03:46.

At the Bristol Track Club 5k on a windy Saturday afternoon, honorary AVR Jake Smith took first place in 14.23, finishing more than ten seconds clear of the next runner.  Terry Emmett was fifth M40 and 82nd overall in a top-class field in 16:31. Tony Smith was eighth M50 in 21:17.

First male and first female finishers at a blustery Seaton parkrun on Saturday were AVRs with Andrew Snook in 17:38 and Kerry Board in 22:04 taking the honours.  Richard Hardy was third finisher in 18:17 and AVR also took three of the top four on age-grade with Eleanor Wood again heading the list with 89% for her 23:01.  Laura Kerr took almost a minute off her PB with an impressive 24:37.  Vicki Wraight celebrated her 100th parkrun running it with her mum.

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Racing in the Sun – Home and Away!

 

In Brighton conditions could not have been any better for the marathon and 10k on Sunday with glorious sunshine and a very light, cool breeze.

 

More than 13000 runners completed the marathon which starts at Preston park, goes into the city, out to Rottingdean before heading back to a spectacular seafront finish.  Angela Kerr was running her seventh Brighton and incredible 45th marathon.  She completed it a 4:28.02, third F65, comfortably within the current London’s Good for Age criteria.

 

Martin Kerr had been planning to run it to celebrate his 70th birthday but the pandemic interfered so today, at aged 72, he completed his fourth Brighton marathon in 6:15.16, ninth M70.

 

Earlier in the 10k Carol Austin competed in her first race for nearly three years due to a series of injuries and then Covid last month. More than 2600 finished the 10k with Carol happy to finish in 52:04 (622nd) and third W60 (from 46).

 

On Saturday, five AVRs took part in the Exeter Epic Trail 10k at Escot in perfect weather conditions.  It was a tough hilly trail with 700 foot climb with more than 400 finishers. First AVR home was Matt Frost, third overall in 44.49 and first M30.  After leading until the halfway point, Ellie Dominey also took third place in the women’s race and first F30 in 47:46.

 

Kelly Nickels and Cath Brenton ran together finishing 157th and 158th in 1:03.11.  Heather Simmmons completed the AVR contingent in 1:05:29, 182nd.

 

Earlier in the week Matt Frost had also competed in the Run Exe 5k along the riverside in Exeter.  It was the first race of the series and he finished 24th with an impressive personal best of 18:16.

 

Tim Sibley travelled to Turners Puddle for the Dorset Ooser marathon which attracted 159 competitiors. It winds its way through beautiful, rolling Dorset countryside in the Piddle Valley between Bere Regis and Dorchester. The lovely route meanders through fields, tracks, trails, woods and past crystal clear streams and shows off Dorset in spring at its best.

Given its undulating route and more than 2000 feet of elevation Tim finished in an impressive 4:21:49 coming in 31st.

 

Haydn Boehm completed the Exeter Sprint Duathlon at Escot on Sunday. It began with an early and rather chilly 5k run around the spectacular scenery of the estate followed by a 20k bike on the rural roads surrounding the estate, before a second 5k run leg. Haydn completed it in 1:32.51 coming ninth M40.

 

At Seaton parkrun on Saturday, Joel Seward was third finisher in 18:52 while Maxine Sweetman smashed her personal best completing it in 28:32.  Eleanor Wood was third woman in 22:29 with a huge age-grade of 91.55%.

Picture: Ellie Dominey third woman at Escot

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Epic Racing Weekend for AVR

EPIC RACING WEEKEND FOR AVR

 

Axe Valley Runners were out in force racing across the country this weekend.  From Manchester to Reading; from Exeter to London via Taunton runners competed in distances ranging from 10k to the 26.2m on the road and up to 22 miles on the trails.

 

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN SMASH IT IN MANCHESTER

At the Therme Manchester Marathon, qualification was up for grabs for the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, but for the seven AVRs a personal best (PB) and a good-for-age spot for London was enough incentive for the trip north.  The race, which starts and finishes near Old Trafford is fast and flat and with no London marathon this month is the biggest Spring marathon in the UK.

 

In a big field with more than 14000 marathon finishers, five AVRs finished in the incredible sub-3 hour bracket which is a tremendous achievement for the club.  First home was Terry Emmett in 2:37.22 followed by Duncan Staddon in 2:38.41, both in PBs.  Next to finish was Rob Collier in 2:49.07, his first sub 2:50 finish and an impressive 12th M50.  Matt Hewer in 2:55.34, was also delighted to secure a PB with Richard Hardy in 2:58.39 completing the sub 3 set.

 

Rupert Pady in 3:10.17 and Karen Eyre in 3:47.59 also ran excellent times for the 26.2m event.  All seven have secured the (current) sought after good-for-age times for London showing massive commitment from them and the huge strength in depth within AVR.

 

 

Half marathon fun in the big smoke

Eight AVRs enjoyed a sunny Sunday morning in the capital running the London Landmarks half-marathon which, as the name suggests, takes runners past some of the city’s most well-known buildings.  Sam Tooze and Emma Richardson ran together and finished in 2:19.18 with Jo Orsman just behind them in 2:23.39.  Carolyn Nation, who was running for Parkinson’s UK in memory of her mother, achieved a brilliant PB of 2:34.13 while Sam Halls, also got a great PB of 2:43.06 whilst raising money for Diabetes UK.

 

Jason Hyde completed his third half-marathon in three weeks with a time of 2:19.54 while Denise Burges finished in 2:31.23

 

A big shout-out to the final member of the team, Bec Davey who helped at a water station in Holbone after having to withdraw due to injury.

 

 

Two each for Taunton and Reading

The Taunton marathon and half also took place in Sunday’s perfect racing conditions with Jack Broom and Ron Seward amongst the 500 field in the half-marathon.  An excellent fifth place for Jack Broom in a PB of 1:14.52 was particularly impressive given the hilly course.  Ron Seward was second M70 in a very good 1:54.43.

 

Cliff Marriott and Haydn Boehm travelled to Reading for the 40th anniversary of this well-known half-marathon.  Following a recent bout of Covid-19 Haydn was happy with his 1:39.13 time while Cliff finished in 1:47.10.

 

 

First chance 10k

The much delayed First Chance 10k – usually held in January –saw six AVRs test themselves on the flat course around Exeter Riverside.   The event is the first of this year’s In Step Devon series and prior to today’s event last year’s winners were announced.  In 2021 Eleanor Wood won the F60 category, Rob Collier the M50 and AVR were second male team and fourth female team.

 

In today’s event, 129 runners completed the course in perfect racing conditions with James Ashforth first AVR home in 39th place in 44:21.  Suzi Blackett was 74th in 52.19 with Angela Kerr hot on her heels in 52.56 which won her the trophy for first F65.  Maxine Sweetman was delighted to bag the second F65 in 58.45 with Gill Day finishing in 58.41 and Rachel Hiscock coming in in 1:01.29.

 

 

First and third at Exe to the Axe   

Arguably harder than the Grizzly, certainly longer, the Exe to the Axe must be one of the most scenic races in the country.  Starting at the mouth of the River Exe in Exmouth it follows the South West Coast Path all the way to the Axmouth Yacht Club on Seaton seafront.  With all the other races this weekend a smaller than usual contingent of AVRs took part but those that did enjoyed fantastic views given the very clear skies as they tackled the challenging 22-mile course.

 

Matt Clist won the race, which had 142 finishers, in a brilliant time of 2:52.39, some eight minutes clear of second place.  In third place and second male was Tim Lenton in 3:05.35.

 

Eleanor Wood was a brilliant sixth female, first F60 in 3:53.30.  James Green came in 20th in 3:43.33 with Stephen Grigg 28th in 3:49.34.  Ian Kinnersley was second M60 in 3:57.29.

 

Margaret Pearce and Caroline French ran together to finish in 4:23.13 in 74th and 75th with Alan Morbey coming next AVR in 4:52.05.    Steve Maclure finished in 5:22.22.  Vicki Wraight, Helen Holmes, Katharine Moran and Julia Mallon all ran together to finish in 5:41.

 

A half distance option was also on offer running from Sidmouth to Seaton.  Esme Markham completed this leg in 2.33.28, a creditable eleventh of the 25 finishers.

 

 

 

Powderham Castle Tenner

 

On Saturday, in perfect racing conditions, Kerry Board and Andy West represented AVR at the Powderham Castle 10 miler.   The two lap route took the 300 runners around the castle’s undulating ground finishing in the castle courtyard.

 

Kerry set a 10m off-road PB finishing in 1:23.20, sixth female and first F45.  Andy was just behind clinching 49th overall place 1:27.46.

 

 

Bolt Round the Holt

 

In this brilliantly named 10k event near Farnham, Simon Dimmock took third place – second male – in 40.39.

 

 

New female course record at Seaton parkrun

Innes Fitzgerald followed up her brilliant win at the Schools International cross country last weekend by smashing her own female course record at Seaton parkrun by running a big PB of 17:11. Vivienne and Derek Blumfield, recent graduates of the club’s Couch to 5k, both secured a PB of 33.05.

PICS: Exe to Axe starters;  Exe to the Axe first three men; The Manchester marathon sub-3 team

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BRIDPORT SUCCESS FOR LAURA KERR

Several AVRs made the short journey into Dorset yesterday for the Bridport half-Marathon and 10K, organised by Beyond Events.  It was a gorgeous, sunny, cool morning so perfect racing conditions for the picturesque, mostly road courses.

 

In the half-marathon Laura Kerr had a terrific run finishing as third female from a field of 54 nabbing a big personal best of 1.53.07. Given the undulating course she was delighted with her time.

 

Adele Girdwood was 21st in 2:01.09 with Angela Kerr, who was using it as a training run for other events, next AVR in 2:07.23 (29th).

 

Kathryn Thomson finished in 2:41(51st) in only her second ever half-marathon as she continues her excellent progress towards the London Marathon in October.

 

In the 10k event which also had one hill to negotiate, Sarah Whelan was first AVR home in 31st in 1:03.51 with Tracey Stone finishing it in 1:11.18 (46th) and in her first ever 10k, Caroline Wiseman came in 60th in 1:13.57.

 

Further afield, Tony Smith and Sam Miller ran the Cardiff Half Marathon.  The top-class field – although this time without their son, Jake – included Welsh athlete, Natasha Cockram who won the women’s race in 1:10.47; a time that should see her secure a Commonwealth Games slot for Wales.  The mass participation race, that had been postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, attracted more than 11,000 runners.  Tony finished in an excellent 1:41:45, with Sam completing it in 2:11.49.

 

Jason Hyde, who is doing three half-marathons in three weeks, also completed Cardiff in 2:41.25 having run the Hampton Palace half last Sunday.  He moves on to the London Landmarks next week where he will be joined by a few other AVRs.

 

At Saturday’s Seaton parkrun, in cool, sunny conditions,  Matt Frost was second finisher, also nabbing a personal best of 18:37.  On age-grade Eleanor Wood was, again, top in an incredible 91.01%.

 

Meanwhile at Teignmouth Promenade parkrun, Ellie Dominey was first female finisher in 21:27.

 

Last Sunday Angela and Martin Kerr completed the 20-mile version of the Granite Way as ideal training for their upcoming Brighton marathon.  It was a sunny but very windy day up on the Dartmoor cycle way.  Martin was first M70 in 4:13.12 with Angela first F65 in 3:18.22.

 

Diane Newton ran the Bideford Half Marathon recently, lining up with nearly 800 runners on what turned out to be a very cold and windy day.  The race starts with a loop around Bideford before taking an undulating route out to Greater Torrington; then it’s on to the Tarka Trail alongside the River Torridge and back home.  It’s a lovely, well-organised race with a great atmosphere and Diane was very pleased to finish in 2:37:29, and fourth F70.

Pic:  Laura Kerr with her prizes for third female at Bridport Half

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Granite, Weymouth and AVR parkrun Triumphs

On a beautiful blue-sky day punctuated by march winds gusting up to well over 40mph, AVR’s Kevin Feeney and Katharine Moran took on the Granite Way 10 miler, an out and back course set against a stunning Dartmoor backdrop. Both were pleased to come in within their target 95 minutes, Kevin running his fastest ever 10 mile race, coming over the line in 1:31:16 and Katharine also sneaking in a PB at 1:34:48.

Two AVRs completed the Weymouth Half marathon where the sun was out, but the easterly wind made for occasional uncomfortable stretches on the exposed coastal course. Ron Seward finished 254th out of 800 with his time of 1:49:54 enabled Ron to finish 1st in the MV70 category. Despite the wind Diane Burn produced a PB of 2 hours 10 mins.

First 3 women finishers at Seaton parkrun this week were AVRs! Eleanor Wood, Kerry Board and Lisa Gregory. Top age grades for both men and women were AVRs Eleanor Wood 91% and Rob Collier 81%.

AVRs Smash it at Seaton parkrun 12th March

Members of Axe Valley Runners really gave a master class in 5k running at the weekend.

1st SM30-34 Joel Seward in 17:42

1st VM 65-69 Neil Johnson in 23:42

1st VM 70-74 Ron Seward in 23:39

1st VW 45-49 Kerry Board in 22:52

1st VW 60-64 Carol Austin in 25:46

1st VW 65-69 Eleanor Wood in 22:41 and also 1st overall on age grade in an incredible 90.74%

PBs for Maxine Sweetman 29:05 and Rachel Hiscox 29:58

Plus local resident JW15-17 Innes Fitzgerald broke the women’s course record again in a superb 17:25 (2nd on age grade 89% so watch out Eleanor!)

Joel and Luke Take the 10k Top Spots!

Joel Seward and Luke Reed took part in the Exeter City 10km race which is hosted by MCC Promotions running along the pancake flat quay. Conditions were tough going out towards Countess Wear with a moderate headwind however this was quickly forgotten about with the tailwind to finish. Joel was first finisher in 35:33 and Luke was 10 seconds back finishing 2nd overall and a new PB of 35:42.

Five AVR’s headed to Wokingham for a half marathon in what was billed as one of the quickest courses in the country, although the incline into a headwind just after mile 10 slowed most runners down! Starting in Wokingham the course heads mainly out in the traffic free country roads before heading back to the town. First AVR back was Duncan Staddon in a very impressive PB of 1:14:47. Next was Terry Emmett in 1:18:25 followed by Rob Collier in a PB of 1:20:42. Cliff Marriott finished in 1:55:20, although he should have been quicker had it not been for all the autograph signing following his Page 3 appearance in Runners World. Angela Kerr was happy to get under the 2 hour mark completing in 1:59:43.

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