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Epic Bob Graham Round for AVR
Last weekend, AVR James Green joined the Bob Graham 24 hour Club, a unique group of those who have completed the challenging and notorious Bob Graham Round.
The Bob Graham Round, named after the Keswick hotelier who was the first to complete it, is the challenge of completing a 66-mile, 27000 feet of climb covering 42 of the highest peaks in the Lake District within 24 hours. Only a third of those who attempt it achieve it first time around so this was a massive deal to finish it and within the 24-hours with James and Oliver Perratt, completing it in 23 hours 15 minutes.
James and Oliver, son of former AVR Chair, Garry Perratt, were supported in parts by AVR’s Matt Clist, Patrick Devine-Wright and Garry . The conditions were muggy but visibility good for them with James describing it as “an epic day”; that is definitely an understatement!
Race the Tram and AVR won!
Last week the annual “Race the Tram” took place and for the first time in a number of years a team from AVR beat the tram! Seaton Tramway put on a special tram to ferry runners out to Colyton Station through the scenic Wetlands and alongside the picturesque River Coly. From there relay teams race the tram back to the station in Seaton. The ever popular evening raises funds for Devon Air Ambulance.
This year the tram took 15:35 with AVR’s “Speedy Boys” coming home in 14:33. Fittingly, Simon Dimmock ran the last leg on his last outing in an AVR vest as he moves to pastures new. The “speedy girls’ finished in 20:40. A huge number of other AVRs took part in relays or as a social run. A barbecue completed a great summer evening and big thanks as ever to Seaton Tramway for hosting the event.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
With the schools now on holiday there was a big turnout at Seaton parkrun on Saturday with visitors from Germany, Holland and Australia as well as all corners of the UK. First female to finish was Debbie Whiston in 20:24 and first on age-grade was Eleanor Wood in 23:33, a staggering 91.5%. There were excellent PBs for James Ashforth in 20:28 and Andy Charrington on 22:39. Congratulations and thanks to Sam Miller who achieved her 150 volunteer milestone.
There were a lot of AVRs out across the UK parkrun events this weekend with Erin Ellis and Max Richardson completing Jersey parkrun and Louise and Aaron Rawlins running Y Promenade, Aberhonddu travelling the furthest. Full set of AVRs on the tourist trail can be found here
And finally
On Saturday evening, Jake Smith continued his excellent return to fitness taking fifth place in a superb PB of 28:46 at the Adidas Runners City Night 10k in Berlin.
Classico returns
The Chudleigh Classic returned on Friday evening, now organised by City Runs. The 9k, just under 6 mile race provides runners with a scenic route through the picturesque mid Devon countryside with a mix of rolling hills and fast sections. The race, which started and finished at Chudleigh Town Hall, attracted 166 runners with eight AVRs making the trip over in search of InStep Devon points.
In a fast field, Karen Eyre was sixth female and second F50 finishing in an excellent 41:04 with Eleanor Wood, tenth female and second F60 in 44:16 and Fiona Seward, second F70 in 1:02.12. Ron Seward was first M70 in 45:23.
First AVR home in 22nd place was Matt Hewer in 36:02. Other age group placings were Rob Collier, third M50 in 36:28 and Ian Kinnersley, third M60 in 42:23. Rupert Pady was 39th in 39:43.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a busy morning at Seaton parkrun on Saturday with 283 finishers. AVR’s Joel Seward was first finisher in 18:10 with Debbie Whiston third female and third on age-grade in 20:08, 80.5%.
Congratulations and big thanks to Aileen Heal who completed her 250th volunteer milestone. There was a PB for Luke Freathy in 21:46.
Out and about, Tony Smith, Sam Miller and Bec Davey completed Clevedon Salthouse Fields parkrun before taking part in the Clevedon Run-Swim-Run event. Diane and Graham Newton celebrated Diane’s birthday at Worthing parkrun and Gill and Jon Day enjoyed the fast flat Minehead parkrun. Simon Dimmock was first finisher at his new ‘home’ parkrun, Hogmoor Inclosure in Hampshire.
And finally …
At the London Diamond League on Saturday Innes Fitzgerald obliterated her 5000m PB finishing in 14:39.56 which is a new European U20 record and inside the world championships qualifying standard. She now heads to Birmingham for the UK Championships in two weeks time with Tokyo firmly in her sights.
Super sunny Yeovilton Summer Series
It was one of the hottest evenings of the year for the latest in the summer series of 5k races at RNAS Yeovilton with just four AVRs braving the high temperatures. The fast, flat course attracts the very speediest the south west has to offer with first male, Andrew Chambers coming home in 15:53 and Exmouth Harriers’ Atsede Gidey, first female in 17:03.
On Wednesday, Carol Austin was second F55 finishing in 23:41. Matt Hewer was 33rd, seventh M40 in 18:28 with David Cull, 53rd in 19:39 and Matt Chenery 120th in 26:59. Just 144 competed this month with the next event Wednesday 13th August.
As I was going to Dalwood Fayre …
On Sunday there was a good turnout of AVRs for the Ruby Red organised, Dalwood Fayre 10k (ish) race; a challenging run around the beautiful Blackdown Hills. Starting and finishing at Dalwood village hall runners get to experience some of the notorious Dalwood 3 Hills race, which takes place in the winter. On Sunday a few AVRs experienced a bit more of the course than planned after taking a wrong turning!
AVR scooped second spot in both the men’s and women’s races with Matt Clist in 39:28 and Karen Eyre in 53:33. Rich Hardy was third and Joel Seward fourth in 41:25 and 41:35 respectively. Karen Eyre was also first F45 and Matt Clist first M40. Graham Newton, first M70 completed the age group winners for AVR in a race which is part of the In-Step Devon series and attracted 49 finishers. Full results.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
On another glorious sunny Saturday AVRs secured the three top spots with Simon Dimmock first male finisher in 19:05; Debbie Whiston first female finisher in 20:15; and Carol Austin, first on age-grade in 80.2% for 24:54. Big thanks go to Chard Road Runners who had a “takeover day” taking on most of the volunteer roles.
Out on the road there was a mini AVR tour with Jon and Gill Day, Janet Woodward, Paul Johns and James Ashforth all at Mount Edgcumbe parkrun. Others on their travels included Angela and Martin Kerr at Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge; Craig Tiley at Malahide parkrun in Dublin and Tony Smith and Sam Miller at Vogrie parkrun in Scotland. Jeremy and Liz Slade enjoyed the hilly but beautiful Llanhydrock parkrun and Anthony and Andrianne Mullins took part in Grangemoor parkrun in Cardiff. Full list of parkrun tourism is here.
And finally …
Look out next Saturday afternoon for Innes Fitzgerald competing in the London Diamond League 5000m in a stacked field. Watch on BBC1, from 1.15pm.