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Freezing First Chance
The First Chance 10k, the first event of the 2024 InStep Devon Series, took place in cold but sunny conditions on Sunday. Starting and finishing on Exeter Quay the event, organised by South West Road Runners, was a sell-out with almost 600 runners taking part. A flat, fast course of a small then large loop alongside the River Exe the route included a number of tight turns and narrow parts but still saw some very speedy times.
Fourteen AVRs took part with Matt Frost, Tim Sibley and Suzi Blackett starting the year with huge PBs, and Carol Austin securing her best time since 2018 after a string of injuries.
First AVR home in a magnificent 34:41 was Rich Hardy, ninth overall and an excellent second M40. Sixth M40 and 23rd overall was Duncan Staddon in 35:22. Matt Frost was 33rd in 36:26 taking a minute off his PB.
In 113th Tim Sibley, currently in training for next month’s Seville marathon finished in a brilliant 41:36 which bodes well for the big one. Suzi Blackett took a huge three minutes off her PB finishing in 46:54, 13th F40.
In the battle of the F60s, Eleanor Wood finished 3rd F60 in an excellent 46:51 with Carol Austin, fourth F60 in 47:37.
The other AVRs were Ian Kinnersley in 43:11, fifth M60; Kerry Board in 45:05, tenth F40; Andy West, 45:51, 11th M60; Haydn Boehm in 44:35; Alan Hornibrook in 48:23; Shirley Salter and Maxine Sweetman, who ran together, finishing in 1.10:28.
Following the race last year’s InStep Devon Championship prizes were presented with AVR’s Kerry Board picking up overall Female and F45 prize and Suzi Blackett the F35 crown.
Ron Seward, who was unable to attend, won the M70 category with AVR also taking third place in both male and female team champs. After yesterday’s great start AVR will be looking at picking up some more silverware this time next year!
Walter Raleigh Round
Dan Clist and James Hawker enjoyed the winter sunshine and amazing scenery on Saturday completing the Walter Raleigh Round Half Marathon organised by Climb South West. Starting and finishing in Budleigh the route visits the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh and the countryside where he spent time as a child. Using quiet back lanes, country roads, little known footpaths and a disused railway line the course follows the Otter Valley, High Peak and the Jurassic Coast with some 366m of ascent and almost the same descent making it a challenging course and after Storm Henke the terrain was muddy even if the sun was shining.
The two AVRs ran together finishing in a creditable 2:40.47, 95th and 96th out of 146 who completed the event.
Chocs ahoy!
On Sunday across the other side of the world, Diane Newton took part in the Cadbury Half Marathon near Hobart, Tasmania. The race starts in front of the Cadbury factory, making a circuit of the Cadbury estate before setting off alongside the River Derwent across the Booker bridge and back. The event started at 6.30 am in a bid to beat the heat. However, Diane still found it uncomfortably hot. Unfortunately a marshalling error meant that the runners ended up running just over an extra kilometre. Diane finished in 3:15, coming first in the women’s over 70 category. All the runners were presented with a medal and a large bar of Cadbury chocolate.
Seaton parkrun
It was a beautiful chilly day for the first event of 2024 in Seaton with more than 300 enjoying the conditions. As it was pacer day several AVRs were supporting others achieve their targets so big thanks to Keith Agland, Haydn Boehm, Vicki Wraight, Louise Rawlins and Joel Seward for their excellent pacing.
Third finisher and in a brilliant PB time of 18:24 was Max Richardson. First female and second on age grade was Debbie Whiston in 20:17 with Ron Seward third on age grade in 23:45. There were PBs for Simon McClellan in 21:05; Lee Brooker in 27:37 and Shirley Goy in 44:11.
Andy West secured his 100th milestone last week so completing his 101st on Saturday!
Carolyn Nation popped over the border to Newport Wales to complete Riverside parkrun while David and Paula Cooke took part in Birkenhead parkrun.
Off to a (Chard) flyer
The Chard Flyer is a road 10k with a wicked climb to the finish after a relatively flat course that takes in the reservoir, starting and finishing at the cricket club in the town. Organised by Chard Road Runners, 11 AVRs supported the event on New Year’s Day which attracted 174 competitors.
In fourth place and first AVR was Joel Seward in 36:52 with Rich Hardy just behind in fifth and first M40. In his first race for six months, Terry Emmett was second M40, seventh overall, in 38:07. Eighth female and third F45 was Karen Eyre in 48:51. Ian Kinnersley took the M60 crown finishing in 47:29.
Other AVRs were David Cull 12th in 41:10; Adrian Strawbridge 51st in 48:06; Richard Jackson 67th in 49:55; Mark Spraggs 86th in 52:54; Lee Brooker 151st in 1.04:24 and Jools Elsom 168th in 1.11:43
Christmas and New Year racing
Storm Gerrit and the Christmas festivities didn’t stop AVRs during the last couple of weeks with three parkruns in Seaton, the Bank Holiday 10k Time Trial and the last race of 2023 plus first of the new year. Alongside these there was a singing tour of care homes on Christmas Eve and a trip to the Great Field parkrun on New Year’s day.
It’s the Final Countdown …
An off-road 10k starting on Sidmouth Esplanade and heading up Peak Hill and into Mutters Moor was the challenging final race of 2023 organised by Winding Paths. Due to the high winds a slight route change on the day meant it was just under 10k with six AVRs taking part and a few others supporting the race by marshalling.
In second place was AVR’s, James Green in an excellent 41:57 just behind winner, Simon Minting of Exmouth Harriers. Eleanor Wood was fifth female finisher in 55:36, first F65. Other AVRs were Andrew Snook, 18th in 50:20; Zoe Harp, 103rd in 1:07.19; Vicki Wraight, 115th in 1:09.00 and Kathryn Thompson in 218th in 1:25.21. More than 250 runners took part.
Wet, wild and windy
Storm Gerrit meant a 24-hour delay to AVR’s Christmas 10k Time Trial but still the 43 runners faced some horrendous weather. Biblical rain, gale-force winds and even a hailstorm came their way as they ran along the newly opened path from Colyford to the seafront in Seaton and then along the Axmouth straight and back to finish right into an evil headwind on the Esplanade.
First home was Joel Seward in an impressive time of 37:41 with Rich Hardy second in 39:10 and Debbie Whiston third in 43:51. The race was the first event in the 2024 AVR Club Challenge so all 41 finishers were rewarded with points towards the series. Full results here.
O Come all Ye Faithful
Twelve AVRs donned their festive attire and took their best singing voices to a number of care and retirement homes in Seaton on Christmas Eve to entertain the residents. Led by Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott the group ran between the homes, singing Carols in each venue and finishing with a sing-song and mulled wine on the seafront.
Berkshire Gutbuster
Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott took part in the very hilly and muddy Berkshire Gutbuster on Saturday with Pam finishing the 10k in 1:12.04 and Cliff choosing the 10 mile option and finishing in 1:41.49.
Bumper Festive parkruns
New Year’s Day is another optional day on the parkrun calendar and with Seaton taking a day off, a group of AVRs joined with the Seaton parkrun core volunteer team to travel to The Great Field parkrun in Poundbury. Third finisher and first AVR was Matt Orsman in 18:40 with Matt Hewer continuing his return from injury finishing in 19:47. Second female to finish was Lucy Watkinson in 21:41.
There were parkrun events at Seaton on Saturdays 23rd and 30th as well as one on Christmas Day with records aplenty and AVRs doing well at all three. On Christmas Day there was a record 419 finishers with Innes Fitzgerald first female and second finisher in 16:36 – the time also the third fastest female finisher across all UK parkrun events on both Christmas Day and Saturday 30th.
On 23rd both Claire Warner and Emilie Brock celebrated their 50th volunteering milestones with Keith Agland reaching his 100th on Christmas Day. As with all events parkrun cannot happen without the wonderful volunteers.
On Saturday 30th Seaton parkrun held its 300th event – it has come a long way since the very first one in November 2015. Despite the wind, Suzi Blackett and Shirley Goy celebrated PBs in 25:18 and 45:07 respectively.
AVR dominate Seaton parkrun
It was a quiet weekend on the racing front so Seaton parkrun ended up as a competitive affair with AVR taking the first three male and first two female spots as well as first and third on age grade.
Joel Seward was first finisher in 17:10 with Ritchie Durrant chasing hard finishing in 17:30 and Rich Hardy third in 17:51. Debbie Whiston was first female finisher in 20:21 with Emilie Brock just behind in 20:37. Once again, Eleanor Wood was first on age grade in 88.5% for her 23:37 with Debbie Whiston third on age grade in 78.79%.
The conditions were good although breezy with Georgie Ryan scooping a PB of 30.06.
Out on the road, Simon Dimmock completed Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun in 20:47 while Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation added the I to their alphabet challenge at Itchen Valley Country Park parkrun.
Cardiff Christmas Classic
Following her brilliant cross-country gold medal winning performance in Brussels last weekend, Innes Fitzgerald ran in the Cardiff Met Christmas Classic Indoors 3000m yesterday. Running in a senior race the 17-year old finished third behind none other than world indoor champion Laura Muir. Her PB of 9:06.26 places her third behind Zola Budd and Jess Judd in the all-time UK indoor U20 rankings.
At the same meeting, Jake Smith continues his return to form from illness and injury with fifth place in a stacked men’s 3000m in 8:15.09.