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
Delightful Dalwood
After almost 12 hours of continual rain on top of the already soaked ground the terrain at the Dalwood Three Hills was always going to resemble a mud fest. Add in three, or perhaps, four hills with a total of 1600 feet of elevation as well as river crossings on very swollen rivers and you knew Sunday’s race would be exceptionally challenging. The ten mile race returned for the first time since 2020 following the break due to the Pandemic.
There was a great turn-out of AVRs amongst the 167 competitors in the ten-mile race around the beautiful countryside between Axminster and Honiton. Matt Clist was first AVR home in third place overall in 1:08.24 and Karen Eyre, an excellent fourth female in 1:34.37. Matt Hewer, back after a long injury, was 12th in 1:18.50 with Rob Collier in 15th in 1:19.05.
All results are here
Seville – oranges are not the only fruit!
In sunnier climes, Tim Sibley took part in the Seville marathon, a fast, flat race in the beautiful Spanish city famous for its orange trees. The race was targeted by several British would-be Olympians aiming to get the qualifying time ahead of the first selection taking place today (19 Feb). It was an early start to avoid the heat and the course circled the city providing plenty of shade from the tall buildings and trees so perfect conditions.
Despite allegedly being beaten by a man with a pineapple on his head, Tim finished in a brilliant 3:20.30, a huge personal best for him. He describes the last 5k as tough on the cobbled streets in the old city and big crowds. His pacing on the day was superb with a negative split and finishing 3146th from almost 10,000 finishers.
Phil Sesemann finished in 2:08.10, narrowly inside the Olympic qualifying time and going fourth on the British all-time rankings so can be confident of making the Team GB team.
On Saturday with no parkrun in Spain, Tim and Amie Sibley both ran the Seville Marathon 5k Breakfast Run.
Wombling free
When Liz Slade spotted a womble race T-shirt she knew she wanted to take part in the Wimbledon Common Half-marathon. She and husband, Jeremy, completed the race together, across the trails of Wimbledon Common, which were very muddy after so much rain, in 2:51.30.
Seaton parkrun
It was a misty Saturday morning with drizzle starting just as the parkrun began. First home was Luke Reed in 17:39, also second on age-grade. Carol Austin was third on age-grade with 79% for her 24:58. Shirley Goy got a PB in 40.07.
Grizzly and Cub fun in the sun
There was a huge turnout at the annual AVR Grizzly and Cub training event on Sunday. After what has felt like weeks of heavy rain the course was as expected muddy and very slippery in places but the day itself started in glorious sunshine and blue skies. Although there were a few light showers runners were awarded with a beautiful rainbow over Branscombe as they tackled one of the trickiest parts of the course.
Big thanks go to the run leaders Rob Collier, Carol Austin, Eleanor Wood, Steve Haines, Andy West, Louise Rawlins and Iain Westworth who kept everyone safe and ensured a fun day of training ahead of the big day, Sunday 17 March.
Fab Four at Exeter Half
The Exeter Half Marathon, organised by the Exeter City Community Trust, took place over Saturday and Sunday with more than 300 finishers each day. The 13.1 mile two-lap course took in the scenic route along the city’s historic Quayside and around Riverside Valley Park. Four AVRs opted for the Saturday event with Matt Frost first AVR home in an excellent seventh place finishing in 1:22:06, just short of his PB.
Ann Coston was 188th in 1:54.00, third F55 with Vicki Wraight in 207th finishing in 1:56.49. Angela Kerr was 249th in 2:05.42, first F65.
Seaton parkrun
More than 250 completed Seaton parkrun on Saturday with Debbie Whiston coming in as first female in 20:24. There were PBs for Jase Potter in 20:28; Ben Morgan in 24:57; Lee Brooker in 26:35; and Shirley Goy in 41:33. Viv Blumfield celebrated her 50th milestone.
Out on the road, Jon Day joined the throngs at Southampton parkrun where more than 1100 took park. Jon finished in an excellent 21:51. Tony Smith and Sam Miller enjoyed the wide expanses of Hove Promenade parkrun finishing in 20:50 and 27:45 respectively. Aileen and Pete Heal went to the relatively new Five Arches parkrun in Radstock near Bath.
AVRs tackle the Four Trigs
Organised by Sidmouth Running Club, the Four Trigs is another low-key, challenging multi-terrain race with an obscene amount of climb involved! Approximately 28km, runners chose their own route that must include the four Trig points at High Point, Beacon Hill, Buckton Hill and Weston Cliff. This year’s event was started by five-time Olympian and the 2014 European 10,000m champion, Jo Pavey. The race raises much needed funds for the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young.
The race, which provides ideal preparation for the Grizzly, was won by last year’s winner, Exmouth Harriers’ Sam Kelly. There was a good turnout of AVRs with Tim Lenton finishing third in 2:30.37 and Patrick Devine-Wright just behind in fourth in 2:32.16. Kerry Board was third female in an excellent 3:17.04. Rob Collier came in seventh, improving on last year’s time to finish in 2:41.42. Others who ran the challenging self-navigated route in pairs, were Ian Kinnersley and Eleanor Wood who finished in 3:33.37; Jeremy Slade and Andy West in 3:48.20; and David and Susi Sadler, who were delighted to reach all four Trigs this year, in 5:36.52.
British Masters Championships & Chichester 10k
Three AVRs travelled to West Sussex for the British Masters 10k Championship which took place at Goodwood Motor Race Circuit near Chichester. AVRs team of Carol Austin, Ann Coston and Angela Kerr took second team prize in the F55+ category. First AVR home in 562nd place was Carol Austin in 46:54, sixth F60. Ann Coston was 704th finishing in 50:11, 18th F55 while Angela Kerr was ninth F65 in 917th place overall in 55:46. More than 1200 runners completed the fast, flat race with the first five finishers in sub-31 minutes.
Seaton parkrun
There was another bumper turnout at Seaton parkrun on Saturday with the good conditions and pacers helping six AVRs to shiny new PBs. Tim Sibley came home in 20:18; his marathon training clearly paying off! Adrian Strawbridge in 21:01; Suzi Blackett in 24:40; Ben Morgan in 25:36; Lee Brooker in 26:54; and Shirley Goy in 42:29 were the others celebrating PBs.
First home was Joel Seward in 16:59 with second finisher Rich Hardy in 17:42. First female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 20:20, also second on age-grade with 79%, with Ron Seward third on age-grade with 78% for his 23:37 finish.
Congratulations to Kevin Feeney who completed his 350th parkrun as one of a number of AVRs on pacing duties. Carol Austin, Saturday’s Run Director, completed her 200th volunteering stint at Seaton parkrun.
On the road, Georgie Ryan smashed her parkrun PB by nearly a minute at the fast Exmouth event finishing in 28:50. Matt Frost completed Denton Dene parkrun in Newcastle; Alan Sealey Itchen Valley Country Park parkrun while Liz and Jeremy Slade completed Southsea parkrun.