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Sunshine brings fast times and crowds out in Seaton
Grizzly 2025 – Who let the bogs out?
Some 2000 runners completed the Grizzly and Cub races on Sunday in the glorious Spring sunshine with Ceri Rees and Alice Kelly coming out victorious in the 20-mile race and Robin Dafforn and Sarah McDade winning the 9-mile Cub.
In the Grizzly, Ceri Rees led from the start finishing in an excellent 2:22.02 adding to his five previous Grizzly crowns. Last year’s winner, Exmouth Harriers’ Sam Kelly had to settle for second in 2:23.13. South West Vets, Shaun Dixon was third in 2:24.43. AVR’s Rich Hardy was an excellent sixth in 2:31.42 and third M40. Other AVRs to take category podium spots were: Joel Seward, first M35 in 2:31.59; Matt Clist first M45 in 2:33.24 just ahead of Matt Hewer in 2:42.02, second M45. Tim Lenton was second M50 in 2:50.41 with Patrick Devine-Wright second M55 in 2:45.34 and Rob Collier third M55 in 2:51.19. Steve Lewis was third M70 in 4:54.56.
In the women’s race, last year’s runner-up Alice Kelly of Exmouth Harriers went one better sealing victory in 2:51.35 a full six minutes ahead of Fleur Dodwell who took second place in 2:57.53 and Hannah Darcy of Marlow Striders, third in 3:05.32. First female AVR was Karen Eyre in a brilliant 3:26.56, also first F50. Eleanor Wood was second F60 in 3:46.39.
Despite taking a slight wrong turn in Beer, 18-year old, Robin Dafforn of Exeter Harriers won the Cub race comfortably in 1:05.01. Daniel Kariaskou of Bedford Harriers took second place in 1:06.11 with Mike Cowell from Cheddar third in 1:07.01. Fifth place and first AVR was Simon Dimmock in 1:11.39. Chris Rathbone was seventh and first M50 in 1:15.13. Graham Newton in 1:31.50 and Ron Seward in 1:33.37 were first and second M70.
The women’s Cub race was won by Sarah McDade of Reading Road Runners in 1:18.07, well clear of second placed, Grace McMahon who finished in 1:21.22 and Sarah Trim of Yeovil Town third in 1:23.11. AVR’s Sue Hayes finished in 1:26.23 to win the first AVR plate and first F50. Lou Tucker was second F45 in 1:34.03 while Adele Girdwood was second F60 in 1:46.58 and Janet Cullum was third F70 in 2:12.57.
Results
Congratulations to all finishers in both the Grizzly and Cub races. The biggest shout-outs must go to Race Directors, Andy West and Steve Haines and all their wonderful team of helpers who have worked hard over many months as well as this weekend to put on such a brilliant and successful event; even booking the dry spell in the lead up and sunshine on the day!
More than 300 children took part in the GrizFest races on Saturday with a Junior Grizzly, Junior Cub and a Fun Run for different ages available all organised by AVR’s Karen Eyre and a huge team of helpers. A great atmosphere and brilliant to see so many potential future AVR and Grizzly runners.
The Grizzly is made possible by the sponsors, East Devon Physical Therapy who also provided much needed massages to runners at the end and raised an impressive £600 for Devon Air Ambulance; Lyme Bay Winery; and Quicks Engineering (SW) Ltd, Kilmington who provided the prizes. Also thanks to Seaton Fire Service for their usual hose down of the muddy runners and photo-fit.com for the official photos.
As ever, the runners were entertained all the way round by musicians creating a fantastic atmosphere amongst the competitors and spectators alike.
Seaton parkrun
It was a Grizzly themed parkrun on Saturday with a huge number of tourists amongst the 434 finishers and the big team of volunteers. Many were sporting Grizzly T-shirts from yesteryear. A few Grizzly bears were also spotted!
First female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 20:22, also second on age-grade in 79.54%. Carol Austin celebrated her 300th parkrun taking the third age-grade spot with 79.5%. for her 25:07. Katharine Moran achieved a triple whammy of 100 parkruns; 50 volunteer stints and her first non-stop 5k since a bad accident last year.
And finally
At the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, Holland, Innes Fitzgerald took eighth spot in the 3000m. In a very competitive field she finished in 8:57.00; a brilliant result for her first senior GB appearance.
Terrific Tokyo
AVR’s Kerry Board travelled over to Tokyo to take part in the marathon, one of the Abbot World Marathon Majors. Despite suffering from a virus just before travelling she finished in a very pleasing 3:48.11, 1467th woman from more than 9000 women. With more than 37000 finishers it is a disappointing gender ratio. With temperatures rising during the race and the after effects of the virus Kerry took the decision to enjoy the event rather than push on for a time.
Tadese Takele of Ethiopia won the men’s race in 2:02.23 with Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede successfully defending her title in the women’s race finishing in 2:16.31. For the first time in ten years former world record holder Paula Radcliffe ran the 26.2 miles crossing the line in an impressive 2:57.22.
Full results
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a beautiful sunny but chilly morning for Seaton parkrun on Saturday and, after a fitting tribute to one of the event’s loyal spectator’s Ernie Stock who passed away this week, 289 parkrunners set off on the pebbles.
AVR’s Matt Hewer was first finisher with a fantastic PB of 17:54. After a great battle with former AVR, Ellie Dominey, Debbie Whiston was pipped into second female spot in 19:44. Ryan Snell was third male finisher in 18:26. It was a clean sweep for AVR on age-grade with Eleanor Wood achieving a remarkable 90% for her 23:56; Debbie Whiston, 82% and Karen Eyre, 81.8% for her 21:32.
Conditions were excellent with no wind so there were also PBs for Mark Parsons in 22:28; Lee Brooker in 24:40; Matt Chenery in 25:25; and Ann-Louise Childe in 28:28. AVR provided many of the pacers who supported Saturday’s event.
Out on the road Simon Dimmock took part in Hogmoor Inclusure parkrun in Hampshire while Jon Day enjoyed Netley Abbey parkrun in Southampton.
And finally …
Congratulations to Innes Fitzgerald on her selection for the GB team at next weekend’s European Indoor championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Her first senior call up will see her compete in the 3000m with heats on Saturday (0920 hours GMT) and the final on Sunday (1636 hours GMT).
Blustery Babcary
AVR’s Eleanor Wood and Ian Kinnersley popped over the border to Somerset on Sunday for the Babcary 10k, a road race on undulating country lanes around South Barrow, North Barrow and returning via Foddington. The race, organised by Wells City Harriers and part of the Somerset Series, was challenging in Sunday’s windy and very wet conditions.
Both AVRs had great performances with Eleanor Wood coming in 58th in 59:28, first F65 and a tremendous first overall on age-grade and Ian Kinnersley finishing 35th in 54:15 and second M60. Some 133 runners braved the conditions to complete the race.
Windy Wokingham
Terry Emmett and David Cull completed the Wokingham half marathon on Sunday. A fast flat half running out of the town centre on to rural roads it attracts good club runners amongst the nearly 3000 competitors. Conditions were challenging for the runners and organisers on Sunday with toilets having to be relocated and fewer signs used due to the high winds.
Terry finished in 157th place, 35th M40 in 1:19.18 after suffering from a stitch for a few miles with David in 512th for his 1:29.06.
Delightful Dartmoor
Tim Lenton and Patrick Devine-Wright took second place in the first of a two race fell series for pairs on Dartmoor on Saturday. Although muddy and challenging underfoot it was a beautiful sunny day. Their time was 1:43.05 for the 16km which included 850m of ascent. Full results
Seaton parkrun and beyond
Conditions were beautiful on Saturday for Seaton parkrun with the sun coming out just as the 280 parkrunners started. AVR’s Debbie Whiston was first female finisher in 20:00 and second on age-grade with 80%. It was a clean sweep for AVR on age-grade with Karen Eyre leading with 81.9% for her 21.32, also third female, and Ron Seward in third on age-grade with 80.9% for his 23.02.
Out and about Tom Parsons enjoyed Eden Project parkrun finishing in 22:48 which he was pleased with after recent knee issues. He describes it as a fantastic course especially because you get free entry to the biomes and site afterwards! Tony Smith and Sam Miller joined Teignmouth Promenade’s 250th event celebrations with Tony delighted to get his first sub-20 5k for many years. Helen Boehm completed Moors Valley parkrun; Wayne and Sam Tooze enjoyed the width of Hove Promenade parkrun while Paul Johns ran Bideford parkrun; Jon Day Killerton parkrun; Claire Warner Weymouth parkrun; and Andy and Shirley Goy Exmouth parkrun.
And finally …
Innes Fitzgerald took bronze at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships on Sunday in the 3000m in 8:52.56. It was her first senior champs so to finish on the podium with esteemed athletes, Hannah Nuttall and Laura Muir was some considerable achievement.