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Three Rs at the Gosport Half

Rich Hardy, Ryan Snell and Rob Collier made the trip to Gosport for the half-marathon which starts and finishes in the Hampshire seaside town.  Conditions were good on Sunday for the two-lap flat course along the scenic seafront towards Lee-on-Solent.

First AVR home was Rich Hardy in 17th in a big PB of 1:14.38, second M40.  Ryan Snell, aiming for marathon pace, was 29th in 1:17.54, third M45 with Rob Collier in 116th in 1:25.47 fourth M55.  More than 1300 completed the race.

 

Seven Hill Loop for the Smiths

Tony Smith accompanying son, Jake ran the 15k NN’s Zevenheuvenloop in Nijmegen in the Netherlands on Sunday.  The race, which saw a 15k world record from NN’s Jacob Kiplimo, was undulating with the runners tackling seven hills!

Tony finished in an excellent 1:05.42 while Jake Smith, continuing his comeback was 29th in 45:27.

Success at St Neots Half

Will Campbell and mum, Sue Hayes ran the St Neots half marathon in Cambridgeshire on Sunday.  There were perfect running conditions and even an appearance from the sun. Although there is some undulation the route takes runners along the riverside with a three-mile downhill finish so it is a race known for some fast times.

Will set a target of 90 minutes and smashed it with 1:28.44, coming in 125th while Sue also had a good race finishing 303rd in 1:41.08.  More than 1100 completed the race.

AVR run the “Coly Dog” for Children in Need

On Tuesday evening around sixty members ran the “Coly Dog” to raise money for Children in Need.
The 8-mile route around the town of Colyton and village of Colyford forms a collie dog on the run tracking app, Strava and is in memory of Rosie, a collie belonging to club members Tim and Amie Sibley who designed the route during lockdown.
The club now run it annually and has this year raised more than £500 for Children in Need.  Axe Valley runners is based in East Devon attracting members from Seaton to Lyme Regis and Axminster to Branscombe.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

AVR women had a good day on Saturday with Debbie Whiston first female in 19:59, also third on age-grade, and Kerry Board second female in 22:12.  Eleanor Wood was first on age-grade with a brilliant 92% for her 23:05.  Janet Cullum tipped into 80% age grade for her 28:45.

There were also shiny PBs for Matt Hewer in 18:09, Mark Parsons in 23:17 and Anthony Mullins in 24:12.

Further afield Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Goffert parkrun in the Netherlands before the big race on Sunday.  Rob Collier celebrated his birthday with Sam Summers at Tilgate parkrun in Sussex while Kevin Feeney also celebrated his birthday with Sarah Shepley at Kingston parkrun, alongside the Thames.  Closer to home, Craig Tiley ran the new Simmons parkrun in Okehampton; Paul Johns took part in Central Plymouth parkrun; Simon Dimmock ran Tamar Trails and Jon and Gill Day crossed the border completing Severn Bridge parkrun.

Delightful Drogo!

There was a huge contingent of AVRs at the Drogo 10, a popular and challenging trail race which is also the final race in this year’s club championship.  The event, organised by South West Road Runners, starts and finishes at Castle Drogo taking in views of the stunning Teign Valley and a total climb on the undulating course of some 535m.  After days of cloud runners were greeted with some sunshine and blue sky.

First AVR home was Rik Tumber in seventh place in 1:08.24 with Karen Eyre the first AVR woman to finish taking first F50 in an impressive 1:26.08.

Patrick Devine-Wright was ninth home in 1:10.35 and second M50 closely followed by Tm Lenton, third M50 in 1:11.59,  12th overall.

Full results

Hats off to Seaton parkrun

On Saturday there was birthday hats, cake and a party atmosphere as Seaton parkrun celebrated its eighth birthday.  Since starting in November 2016 nearly 15000 different people have completed the 5k run with 657 different volunteers including, of course, many AVRs.  On Saturday the Event Directors, Carol Austin and Tony Smith presented prizes to those who have volunteered the most and to some of the best hat creations then cut the cake.

In the event itself it was a quiet day for AVR with many volunteering or saving themselves for Drogo so it was a full podium for Chard Flyers.  However Claire Warner returning from a long injury and a recent birthday was third on age grade with 79% for her 27:17 followed by Janet Cullum, 78% for her 29:29 finish.

South West Shenanigans for AVR

Right across the south-west this weekend AVRs were racing with considerable success.  From Bodmin to Bideford and Sidmouth to Somerset AVRs had it covered!

 

All for the Cornish pasty!

On Sunday, Jeremy Slade and Tim Sibley ventured across the border into Cornwall to run the Cornish Marathon, now in its 40th year.  It is a challenging, hilly route with runners rewarded with wonderful views of Bodmin Moor and Cornwall, looping from Pensilva to Golitha falls and Jamaica Inn. The conditions were good and the threatened drizzle didn’t come. The autumn colours were lovely and it was a very well marshalled event with runners receiving a medal, hoodie and a tasty Cornish pasty after their 26.2 mile effort.

Both AVRs had great runs with Jeremy setting a huge marathon PB of 4:33:53 to finish 202nd, some 16 minutes quicker than last year. Tim also had a brilliant run to finish in an excellent 56th in 3:35:17. There were 378 finishers.

Bideford 10 – flat and fast!

Six AVRs ventured up to north Devon to compete in the Bideford 10 – a ten-mile, mainly flat route along the Tarka Trail starting and finishing in the town.  There is a small hill as the runners head out of the town giving magnificent views of the Taw and Torridge Estuary.  Always a well-organised race by Bideford AAC and attracting a competitive field, Sunday’s event was won by international steeplechaser, Phil Norman in 49:57.

First home for AVR was Rich Hardy, 17th in 56:52, fourth M40 followed by Ryan Snell, 20th in 57:35 taking the third M45 prize.  Matt Frost and Matt Hewer were neck and neck with Matt Frost finishing in 40th in 1:00.47  and Matt Hewer in 1:00.51 in 42nd.  These four were all using the event as part of their marathon training.

Diane and Graham Newton also had excellent runs after the disappointment of the cancellation of the Great South Run due to Storm Ashley.  Graham was third M75 in 1:22.05 and Diane fourth F75 in 2:15.42.

Full results

Beautiful Byes – Sidmouth 10K

Five AVRs opted for the short trip to Sidford to take part in the Sidmouth 10k organised by LM Events.  The race, which started at Sidford Social Hall, takes runners along the scenic Byes, adjacent to the River Sid, to the seafront and along the Esplanade before returning the same way.   However, it also includes an evil steep hilly loop in each direction!

Joel Seward was first AVR home taking third place after a great race with the lead pack finishing in 36:46, some 43 seconds quicker than last year. Richard Coffey was 62nd in 51:26 while Carol Austin, returning from injury, was 16th female and second F55 in 52:46.  Lee Brooker was 105th in 56:09 with Matt Chenery 111th in 56:27.  There were wooden medals for the 266 finishers.

Herepath Half – the people’s path!

Five AVRs travelled up to Somerset for this challenging trail half marathon organised by Taunton’s Running Forever RC and forming part of the Somerset Race Series.   The route follows the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath Trail in the Blackdown Hills for around 13.7 miles. The trail reaches the highest point in the Blackdown Hills to give fabulous views.

Herepaths were originally important trade and communication routes between settlements during the ninth century – they are often referred to as people’s paths.

First AVR home was Rob Collier in an excellent 12th place in 1:43.29 followed by Karen Eyre, 34th in 1:55.37; Eleanor Wood, 58th in 2:06.49 first F60; Zoe and Rob Harp 106th and 107th in 2:21.38.  There were 177 finishers.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

It was a grey but still morning for Seaton parkrun on Saturday with 274 finishers.  AVR’s Debbie Whiston was first female and second on age grade in 20:16, 79%.  There were PBs for Mark Parsons in 23:38, Sue Hodge in 25:45, Sarah Farmer in 28:14 and Liz Curley in 31:29.

Further afield Tom Parsons nabbed his Z at  Zegerplas parkrun in Alphen aan den Rejn in The Netherlands. He was delighted with a 21:26 PB.  Meanwhile also on the alphabet challenge, Carolyn Nation was in Jersey for her J leaving her with just one letter to go.  Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Brueton parkrun in Solihull while Paul Johns was just down the road at Oaklands in Birmingham. Jon and Gill Day took part in the new Simmons parkrun in Okehampton and Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard ran Central parkrun in Plymouth.