The weather Gods were kind and it was a cloudy, still day providing perfect running conditions for the 2000+ runners who took on the challenge of the Grizzly and Cub races on Sunday.  Biggest congratulations must go to new Race Directors, Andy West and Steve Haines for a brilliant first event under their guidance.

The race was started by five-time Olympian, Jo Pavey, with the runners heading straight onto the first of two gruelling stretches of pebble running. After that it was off up Castle Hill and onto Beer and, then, Branscombe and beyond and, for the Grizzly runners 20 miles of hills, bogs, river and more pebbles.  The Cub runners may be let off the bogs but it is still a tough 9-mile race.

All through the runners are supported by a huge team of volunteers from AVR and many other local community groups and charities; which is what makes the Grizzly such a special event for Seaton and East Devon.

First home in the Cub was Ritchie Durrant of Pure Endurance in an excellent 1:02.52.  Tenth finisher and first female was Olivia Carthew in 1:11.19.  First male 40 and first AVR was Lee Moran in 1:11.13 with first female AVR and 12^th female overall, Laura Kerr in 1:27.20.  All the winners were awarded with a bottle of prosecco from Lyme Bay Wines, and a beautiful handcrafted plate made Gilly Humphreys.  Guy Sweetman from event sponsor, East Devon Sports Therapy Centre and John Barrington-Rowell, President of AVR, made the presentations.

In the full event Sam Kelly of Exmouth Harriers improved on last year’s runner-up to take the win in a brilliant 2:14.25. Molly Smith, once of this parish but now with Norfolk Gazelles took the first female spot in a superb 2:43.28 running her first ever Grizzly.  It was great to see four-time World Ironman Champion, Chrissie Wellington take on the Grizzly and finish an outstanding fourth female.

Matt Clist, in ninth sport following a sprint finish, was first AVR home in 2:29.02 while Emilie Brock scooped the first female AVR prize in 3:11.29.

During the race a memory tree is always provided on Branscombe beach for runners to pause and remember friends lost since the last event.  This year it took on special significance following the recent sudden death of Phil Bayliss, a founder member of both AVR and the Grizzly and long-term Grizzly committee member.  AVRs wore green ribbons in his memory reflecting his deep commitment to the environment and his legacy of encouraging the Grizzly to become a sustainable event as far as possible.

Big thanks must also go to Tescos, Leisure East Devon, East Devon Sports Therapy, Living Options and Seaton firefighters for all their support at the finish line.

On Saturday, hundreds of children had enjoyed some short Grizzly races of their own ably supported by lots of AVR members.

Full results to the Grizzly and Cub are here.

Supersize Seaton parkrun

It was the second biggest attendance ever at Seaton for the pre-Grizzly parkrun on Saturday.  An incredible 392 ran, jogged and walked the pebbles and Esplanade, many using it as a leg-turner for the big one on Sunday.  A huge number of Grizzly Tees were on show amongst the parkrunners.

Huge thanks to Honiton Running Club who took most of the volunteer roles in a take-over day and their latest Couch to 5K “graduates” completed their first parkrun so congratulations to all of them.

Craig Tiley and Roberta Wadsworth both nabbed PBs while AVR also provided most of the pacers who, as usual, did an incredible job especially with the big number of participants so thanks to Tim Sibley, Keith Agland, Vicki Wraight, Rob Collier, Cliff Marriott, Katharine Moran and Haydn Boehm.

Over at Cranbrook Country parkrun, Ellie Dominey was first finisher in 20:16.

All AVR parkrun results can be found here.

 

 

Angela Kerr and Steve Lewis headed to Surrey for the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon which took place in freezing, sub-zero temperatures on Sunday morning.

With both recovering from illness and injury it was all about getting round with Steve finishing in 2:08.25, 1304^th and Angela in 2:16.223, 1448^th with 1697 completing the flat 13.1m race run around Farnborough airfield and organised very efficiently by 2:09 events.

Grizzly gets closer

AVRs were out in force over the weekend practising for the Grizzly and Cub.  Two groups ran the Sid Vale Ring in gorgeous winter sunshine on Saturday while another two groups tackled the Cub route and beyond on Sunday.

Seaton parkrun

It was good to have the sunshine back for Seaton parkrun, and after a course check for ice the event was able to go ahead with 157 finishers.  It was a clean sweep for the AVR men with first finisher Ritchie Durrant in a PB of 16:51 followed by Richard Hardy in 17:22, also second on age-grade with 78%, and Lee Moran in third in 18:35. Second female to finish was Kerry Board in 22:45.

Celebrating her birthday with a PB was Laura Kerr in 24:21. Helen Boehm got another PB of 37.14 while reaching her 50 milestone.  David Sadler celebrated his 200^th volunteering stint.  Congratulations to all three!

AVR’s female runner of 2022 along with our most-improved male and female of 2022, all started the new year where they left off. Kerry Board, Matt Frost and Suzi Blackett made the best of the fast and flat course to secure 10K PBs at the Exeter First Chance on Sunday.

Matt Frost was an excellent 31^st in 37.23 in a race won in a very impressive 30.55 by Shaun Antell of Bideford AAC.

Kerry Board also picked up her trophy for winning the 2022 In Step Devon Championship and a prize for first F45 in the same champs.  She also made the best possible start to this year’s Champs by finishing 149^th in 44:5, second F45.

Suzi Blackett was 243^rd taking two minutes off her PB to finish in 50.23.  Darrell Farley was 192^nd in 47:43; Cory Schultze was 281^st in 52:10 and, completing the AVR line-up was Angela Kerr, returning from injury and illness, who finished in 1:06.17 (490^th).  A total of 565 runners completed Sunday’s event; the first in this year’s In Step Devon Championship.

Bumper AVR turnout at Axmouth Challenge

Runners at the Axmouth Challenge on Sunday faced every weather possible with rain, thunder, hail and high winds as well as mud, hills and tricky camber to test them over a choice of 9 miles, 5 miles or 3 miles.

It was a terrific win for Richard Hardy in the nine-mile event coming in magnificently under the hour in 59.34, more than a minute ahead of the second placed finisher.  In third place and first M40 was Andrew Snook in 1:01.05 with Joel Seward hot on his heels in 1:01.08 to take fourth spot.  Matt Orsman came in fifth in 1:03.36 to take first M45.

A brilliant fourth female, and first F65, was Eleanor Wood in 1:17.35.  Ian Kinnersley (29^th) was first M60 in 1:18.54.

In the five-mile event, AVR scooped second and third with Simon Dimmock in 42:21 and Tony Smith, who was also first M40, third in 44:20. Great to see a medal for a different member of the Smith family!

Other AVRs amongst the 68 finishers in the longer race were:  Rupert Wiseman, 12^th in 1:12.48; Adrian Strawbridge, 19^th in 1:15.47; Haydn Boehm, 20^th in 1:16.01; Simon Freathy, 21^st in 1:17.02; Jason Potter, 23^rd in 1:17.13; Andy West, 32^nd in 1:19.31; Pete Hallett, 35^thin 1:20.46; Mike Wadsworth, 39^th in 1:23.46; Barry Follett, 41^st in 1:23.56; Jeremy Larcombe, 44^th in 1:25.45; Dan Clist, 47^th in 1:27.55; Adele Girdwood, 52^nd in 1:30.15; James Ashworth, 54^th in 1:30.49; Henry Smith, 57^th in 1:33.27; Ragnhild Kordt Richards, 59^th in 1:34.07; Steve MacLure, 60^th in 1:34.24; Julia Teague, 61^st in 1:35.23; David Wayne, 62^nd in 1:36.26; Vicki Wraight, 63^rd in 1:38.54; Katharine Moran, 65^th in 1:39.22; and John Larcombe, 66^th in 1:41.31.

In the shorter race, the other AVRs were:  Kevin Feeney, 14^th (and first M65) in 59:48; Kelly Nickels, 17^th (and first F40) in 1:01.36; Martin Chesterman, 19^th in 1:01.56; Paula Cooke, 23^rd in 1:03.27; Sue Chambers, 25^th in 1:04.41; Carolyn Nation, 30^th in 1:06.07; Roberta Wadsworth, 31^st in 1:13.57; Duncan Davison, 32^nd in 1:28.31 and Carly Lowe, 33^rd in 1:31.04.

Elaine Chesterman was the sole AVR in the three-mile race finishing 11^th in 43:48.

South-west Cross Country Champs

Also enjoying the mud after so much rain, Rik Tumber travelled to RNAS Merryfield in Somerset to take part in his first ever cross country finishing in a creditable 28.33 for the 4.1m muddy course, 101^st, in a field of club and county runners from Cornwall to Gloucestershire

Handicap underway

Despite it being a wild and windy January evening some 30 members took part in the first handicap of the year with the maximum 20 points going to Heather Simmons.  Dave Hutton and Sue Chambers lie second and third, respectively.  Next Handicap will take place on Tuesday 7 February, 1830 hours from Seaton Cricket Club. Results can be found here   Handicap monthly prizes will all be presented at the end of the year Awards Evening.

Wild and windy for parkrun

It was a wild, wet and windy first parkrun of the year in Seaton on Saturday and it was definitely not a day for fast times or PBs.  Nevertheless AVR’s Emilie Brock was first female to finish in 22:50 with James Green second finisher overall in 18:29.

In the bad weather remember to always check any parkrun is on before travelling by visiting the website or social media.  Most event teams aim to do a course check by 8am.

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.