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Westdown Wander
A baker’s dozen of AVRs tackled the challenging Westdown Wander approx. 10-mile multi-terrain race on Sunday. Organised by Exmouth Harriers the race had a different finish with the after-effects of Storm Ciaran still causing problems. With the recent rain it was also vey muddy as the course left Exmouth on the coastal path up and down at Budleigh and then back inland through Littleham.
First AVR home was Kerry Board who was fourth female in an excellent 1:19.16, also second F45. Eleanor Wood was just behind in 1:22.09, a brilliant ninth woman and first F65. Ron Seward picked up first M70 for his 1:29.18, 53rd overall while Ann Coston secured first F55 for her 1:34.38 finish. The full results are here: with 120 completing the race.
The race was the final event in the InStep Devon series; results to follow next week on this.
Seaton parkrun
It was a very cold but a beautifully sunny day on Saturday; so cold that a slight course amendment was needed to avoid some lethal ice at the Hideaway end of the Esplanade.
First finisher was AVR’s Joel Seward in 17:15 with Rich Hardy in third in 17:54. Debbie Whiston was second female in 20:40. The extra pebble sections, added to compensate for the shorter Esplanade route, caused no trouble to Max Richardson or Pam Goddard who both secured shiny PBs in 18:32 and 29:48 respectively. Rob Collier was second on age-grade with 81% for his 18:43.
Congratulations and a big thanks to Louise Rawlins who reached her 100 volunteer milestone and to Haydn Boehm for his first outing as Run Director, including navigating the course change!
Out and about, Jake Smith was preparing for his pacing duties at Valencia next week with a first finisher place at Cardiff parkrun in 14:32; Tim and Amie Sibley took part in Porthcawl parkrun; Dave Hutton and Sue Chambers ran Clevedon Salthouse parkrun while Jo Orsman visited Sharpham Road Playing Fields parkrun and smashed out a 5k PB of 26:32.
ColyDog supports Children in Need
AVR’s Coly Dog run is now a regular event in the club calendar to raise money for Children in Need, gain extra kudos for impressive Strava art and remember Tim and Amie Sibley’s collie, Rosie. Run in Friday’s pouring rain it was a very wet affair but was still enjoyed by 30+ AVR members with nearly £300 raised for BBC’s Children in Need.
Blustery Brighton
Carol Austin and Diane Newton battled gusts of more than 40 mph at the Brighton 10k on Sunday. Starting and finishing in Hove with the route following the Esplanade westwards, runners then turned around and headed back past the start towards Brighton pier. At just over 5k the route turned again and runners were met with a fearsome headwind through to 9k before a welcome final turn for the home straight.
Finishing in 48:42, Carol Austin was 743rd and fourth F60. She now awaits to see if this is sufficient for an England Masters 10k place to add to the half marathon place secured already. Diane Newton was 1978th and tenth F70 in 1:18.57. More than 2000 runners finished the race.
Gale-force Gosport
Just along the coast, Matt Clist and Joel Seward also battled the high wind in the Gosport Half Marathon with Matt finishing in an excellent 19th place and first M40 in 1:17.02. Joel struggled in the final few miles but still finished in 1:24.37, 83rd from the 1200 who competed the 13.1 miles around the marina and out and back on the esplanade.
Starcross Shuffle
Organised by Winding Paths and anything but a shuffle this is a looped race where runners can complete distances from 10k to an ultra and beyond. Georgie Ryan completed three laps (32.27km) in 4.04:38 which is her longest run since she started running a year ago – tremendous progress.
Corey Schultz did five laps of the circuit, which takes in the Exe Estuary, Powderham Castle and Turf Locks, racking-up some 34.05 miles in 6:42:27.
Extra muddy Dirt Half
Angela Kerr returned to her old stomping ground in Leighton Buzzard to complete the Dirt Half, an off-road half marathon that as per its name is known for its muddy terrain but also stunning views, beautiful woods and picturesque canalside paths. After all this week’s rain it really was a muddy one this year with Angela finishing in 300th place, 2:19.33, second F65. Some 400 completed the challenge.
Seaton parkrun
Following last week’s seventh birthday celebrations at Seaton parkrun it was a quieter affair this week with just 150 finishers.
AVR took the first three female positions with Debbie Whiston in 20.59, Kerry Board in 22:46 and Lucy Watkinson in 23:13.
On the road, Kevin Feeney and Sarah Shepley celebrated Kevin’s 70th birthday, and new age category, by taking part in Bushy parkrun, their previous home run and, of course, “where it all began”; the first ever parkrun took place there back in 2004.
Tony Smith and Sam Miller took part in Dulwich parkrun, a fast three-lapper illustrated by Tony running his first sub-20 minute 5k since 1999!
Bec Davey completed her name challenge securing the missing V by running Victoria Dock parkrun with Emma Richardson and Sam Tooze.
Drogo delight for AVR
There was a tremendous turn-out for AVR at the Drogo 10, a multi-terrain race around the beautiful countryside of Castle Drogo Estate. The start and finish was at the National Trust Estate with stunning views of the River Teign. Half of all the entry fee went towards maintenance of the Estate.
It was a sunny start to the race but soon the rain was falling adding to the muddy and challenging conditions underfoot after the recent stormy weather. More than 400 runners completed the race that attracted some high calibre competitors.
First AVR home was Andrew Snook in seventh place in 1:09.35, third M40. First female for AVR was Kerry Board in an excellent 1:30.08 which was also second F45. Eleanor Wood was second F65 in 1:31.50 with Rupert Pady also taking an age-group second, M55, in 1:22.56. Rob Collier was third M50 and an excellent 36th overall in 1:18.03; Karen Eyre taking the female equivalent, 3rd F50 in 1:34.20; Dawn Carrah was third F60 in 1:44.25 while Andy West took third M65 in 1:35.13.
More photos on our facebook page courtesy of Wayne Tooze.
Full results are available here
Seventh heaven for Seaton parkrun
The sun shone for the seventh birthday celebrations at Seaton parkrun on Saturday. The conditions could not have been more different to the previous weekend when the carnage from Storm Ciaran caused the cancellation of the event.
It was thanks to the incredible clearing up work by East Devon District Council’s Street Scene team that this weekend’s parkrun could go ahead. The team cleared all the pebbles and beach debris from the Esplanade. Volunteers from parkrun also had to replace, restore, locate and clean a lot of equipment following the damage done to the store-room by the enormous waves and wind of the storm.
The pebble sections were rather ‘lumpier’ than usual and more than 40 volunteers supported the 228 runners and walkers, ensuring their safety and giving the usual Seaton welcome.
As it was a birthday there was, of course, fancy dress and cake. Winner of the best outfit was Louise Rawlins who came as a coffee cup reflecting the parkrun ethos that “it was always about the coffee”.
For AVR, first female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 21.00 while Janet Cullum was second on age-grade with 78% for her 28.58. Despite the challenging pebbles this week, there were PBs for Pam Goddard in 30.10 and Rebecca King in 34.47. Bec Davey celebrated her 100thparkrun in a fabulous 7 of hearts outfit while Lindsey Freathy reached her 100 volunteer stints at Seaton receiving the prized hat.
After the run, a fantastic cake made by Kathryn Thompson was cut by Event Directors, Tony Smith and Carol Austin. The seven years of parkrun have been excellently supported by AVR with 276 members having completed the 5k; between them amassing an amazing 10815 runs plus the all-important volunteering required every week.