This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Accept settingsSettingsWe may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Privacy Policy
They did it ‘MyWay’
Four AVRs took part in this year’s Virtual London Marathon, MyWay, running the 26.2 miles locally using a downloaded app to measure their time and distance. Louise and Aaron Rawlins, and Mark Day all ran around the country lanes of Offwell, Southleigh, Colyton, Colyford and Axmouth before finishing on the Esplanade in Seaton welcomed by many other AVRs at the Hideaway. All three smashed their marathon PBs: Louise Rawlins, even finishing with her trademark cartwheel, in 4:19:05, Aaron Rawlins in 4:22.47 and Mark Day in 4:51.07.
Kathryn Thompson had been suffering from injuries so decided to walk it along the picturesque Exe Estuary finishing in 7:48.39.
Lording it in London
AVR had an incredible 18 runners complete the TCS London Marathon on the streets of the capital on Sunday. First AVR home and in his first London marathon was Joel Seward in 2:39.17, a PB and very impressive sub-2:40. First female AVR was Debbie Whiston, competing for the army in the services match, coming home in a brilliant 3:07.24, 44th F45.
Joining Joel in the sub-3 club were Terry Emmett in 2:39.46; Ryan Snell in 2:40.15; Matt Hewer in a new PB of 2:47.00; Duncan Staddon in 2:53.50 and Rich Hardy in 2:54.17.
Second female AVR was Kerry Board in a brilliant shiny new marathon PB of 3:30.08 followed by Karen Eyre in 3:36.17.
Rupert Pady, finished in 3:13.46. Laura Kerr carrying several injuries came in in 4:03.34 followed by Alan Hornibrook in 4:14.08, Haydn Boehm in 4:16.52, Jacqui Stokes in 4:21.36, Wayne Tooze in 4:27.58 and Emma Sampson in 5:15.12.
Angela Kerr finished in 4:33.55, 65th F65 with Diana Burn in 5:31.40, 54th F70.
Many congratulations to former AVR, Molly Smith who finished third British woman in the event in an amazing 2:36.22 running in her first marathon.
Steaming to the Coast
Five AVRs travelled to north Somerset to take part in the first edition of this event organised by Channel Events. Emma Richardson, Suzy Blackett and Helen Holmes chose the full marathon and started the day with a glorious steam train ride on the Heritage Line from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard in the West Somerset Countryside. From there they had a 26.2 mile run back again! All three ran together in the perfect sunny conditions enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Quantock Hills, the Steam Coast Trail and the South West Coast Path. The three finishing equal 100th in 6:19.51 with 128 completing the course.
Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation completed the 11-mile option which began in Williton. Running together they finished in 79th in 2:40;14 with 98 completing the race.
Wrexham 10k
Choosing to ignore the London marathon Ron and Fiona Seward decided to instead participate in the Wrexham 10k. The course was slightly undulating, with a surprising short but steep climb at kilometre eight.
Ron finished 150th in 48:05 and first M70 with Fiona 473rd and fourth F65 in a PB of 1:00:06 .
It was a very well organised event, sponsored by JCB, and attracting 782 finishers.
Seaton parkrun
On a day when many regulars were preparing elsewhere for the marathon there were still 248 finishers at Seaton parkrun. Third finisher was AVR’s David Cull in 19.44 and first on age-grade was Eleanor Wood in a tremendous 90.8% for her 23.22.
Jools Elsom celebrated her 100 milestone, many of which have been supporting other parkrunners so many congratulations. Peter Heal achieved his 100 volunteer stints at Seaton to earn the special Seaton hat, presented by Lesley Adams, volunteer coordinator for the day.
The good conditions on Saturday contributed to six AVR PBs with Richard Jackson in 21:44; Lee Brooker in 25:53; Pam Goddard in 28:48; Lucy Hanley in 29:31; Derek Blumfield 30:36 and Helen Boehm in 35:56.
Magnificent Manchester for AVRs
Four AVRs travelled north to take part in the increasingly popular Manchester marathon. The UK’s flattest marathon, the 26.1 mile route starts near the famous Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with the runners heading into the city centre then out to the superb of Altrincham before weaving their way back to the finish line opposite the stadium.
First AVR home was Matt Frost in an excellent 2:52.55, just outside his PB, in 445th place. Ian Kinnersley finished in a very impressive 3:38.58 taking more than three minutes off his PB, 30th M60 and 4053rd. Jason Potter was next to finish in 6494th in 3:48.08, a huge PB. Vicki Wraight was 12314th in 4:17.06, just outside her PB although delighted nonetheless. More than 32000 took part in the event, now the UK’s second biggest marathon.
Sid Valley Ring Half
Conditions were good on Saturday for the Sid Valley Ring half marathon organised by Climb South West. It’s a tough but scenic course around the marked walking route with just over 2000 feet of elevation. Surprisingly, Adele Girdwood was the only AVR, coming in at 2:50:54, 56th from the 96 finishers.
Seaton parkrun
There was another big turnout in Seaton with 260 finishers. AVR’s Joel Seward was first finisher in 17:41 with Luke Reed third finisher in 17:56.
Out on the tourist trail, Debbie Whiston was first female finisher at Lloyd parkrun in Croydon in 21:28 while Tony Smith ended up pacing at Barnsley parkrun expertly finishing in 22:50. Bec and Simon Davey secured the U for the alphabet challenge at Upton House parkrun near Poole. It was Alexandra parkrun, Moss Side, pre marathon for Vicki Wraight while Matt Frost completed Longrun Meadow on route to Manchester along with Diane Newton. Craig Tiley took part in Penrose parkrun and Kevin Feeney and Sarah Shepley enjoyed the promenade of Burnham and Highbridge.
AVR triumphs at Exe to the Axe
There was a good turnout of AVRs for the latest running of JP’s Exe to the Axe organised by Sidmouth Running Club.
AVR’s Matt Clist retained his title finishing in a brilliant 2:59.53, two minutes clear of the second place and five minutes quicker than last year. Rik Tumber was fourth in 3:17.56 with James Green in tenth, and third M40, in 3:34.34.
Eleanor Wood was first F60 in an excellent 4:26.41, 65th overall.
The race which starts on the beach in Exmouth follows the South West Coast Path to the River Axe at Seaton with 22 miles of very undulating, difficult terrain. It was a particularly challenging route this year after numerous cliff falls and Storm Kathleen bringing high winds and more damage overnight. There were 188 finishers in the full race.
A relay option was also available with AVR’s Sam Miller and Tony Smith finishing second in a combined 4:55.31 and Team Feeney (aka The Smoggies) which included Kevin Feeney and Sarah Shepley took third just behind in 4:57.30.
The full results are here.
Powering it at Powderham
A small contingent of AVRs made their way to Powderham Castle on Saturday morning to take part in the Power Run. The event started and finished inside the castle walls, the remainder of the course consisted of a tour of the castle grounds. One lap for the ‘Classic’ 5 miles and two for the ‘Legend’ 10 miles. The off road sections of the course were as muddy as one would expect after recent deluges, in addition participants were buffeted by Storm Kathleen. On the plus side it was a beautiful setting with some stunning views, a fitting reward for climbing a long hill soon after the start.
Ron Seward was first home for AVR in the longer race finishing 40th, first M70 in 1:34:16. Next back was Dawn Carrah in 57th place and 2nd F60 in 1:39:39. Shirley Salter, in her first 10 mile run clocked 2:11:43 and Susan Wall and Liz Slade, who ran together came home in 2:21:55 and 2:21:56 respectively.
Fiona Seward took the one lap option finishing 73rd out of 159 finishers in 55:37.
Half marathon successes
Mark Spraggs took on the rather undulating Southampton half marathon on Sunday finishing in 1:47.46, 438th from more than 2000 finishers. He describes it as a picturesque course along the river and bridge in the city and was thankful for a sunny day at last!
Meanwhile up in the capital, Kelly Nickels completed the very popular London Landmarks half marathon in 2:05.20 coming in 6717th from more than 11000 finishers. The route covers much of the London marathon route taking in, as the name implies, many of the capital’s significant landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Mashing it up!
In its first running since 2019, the Minster Milers Mash 10k attracted 227 runners raising money for local charity, Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Simon Dimmock finished 12th in 44:24 in the undulating race which started and finished in Ilminster and took in some scenic Somerset villages. The route was especially challenging after months of heavy rain. Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard also took part and would recommend it as a well-organised local event. Results to follow.
Seaton parkrun
Back after a week off due to the effects of Storm Nelson the nearly 300 finishes on Saturday had the windy Storm Kathleen to contend with. First finisher was AVR’s Luke Reed in 18.30, a full minute ahead of the second finisher and also first on age-grade. With many local races over the weekend, many AVRs stuck to pacing duties or volunteering this Saturday.