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Brent Knoll secures Somerset series success for AVR

In the final race of the Somerset Series, AVR’s Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady beat Storm Bert to take part in the Brent Knoll multi-terrain race on Sunday.  It is described as a “short sharp shock” of a race and is six or so miles of muddy, steep footpaths and roads up and over Brent Knoll.  The heavy rain reduced to light drizzle for the race which was oragnised by Burnham-on-Sea Harriers.

Karen Eyre had a tremendous race to finish fourth female and first F45 in 51:04.  This also secures her second placed female in the 2024 Somerset Series and first in the F45 category.  Prizes were presented after the race so she travelled home with two engraved pint glasses.

Rupert Pady also had a good race.  Full results to follow.

 

Sunshine for some!

Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott were holidaying in Tenerife so ran the ‘la espiritu triabona’ at Caleta De Adeje.  Pam completed the 5K while Cliff ran the 10K.  The events took place in the evening with lights, music and amazing support from the marshalls and public alike.  They were made very welcome by the lovely people of Amarilla Coastrun and loved the experience and the sunshine!

Bert cancels many local parkrun events

Storm Bert well and truly blew away Seaton parkrun on Saturday with the route unsafe.

But further afield Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation completed their parkrun alphabet with an N at Netley Abbey, supported by Emma Richardson.

Louise Rawlins, Suzi Blackett, Zoe Harp and Laura Kerr completed Cardiff parkrun as a ‘fast walk’ the first 5k for Laura since a foot operation. Patrick Devine-Wright ran University Parks parkrun in Oxford while Steve Speariett took part in Clevedon Salthouse parkrun and Anthony Mullins hot-footed it to St Mary’s parkrun in Bridport after the cancellation of Seaton.

And finally …

Well done to Innes Fitzgerald who won the U20 Liverpool Cross Challenge on Saturday securing her place in the British team for the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya next month where she will look to defend her title.

Three Rs at the Gosport Half

Rich Hardy, Ryan Snell and Rob Collier made the trip to Gosport for the half-marathon which starts and finishes in the Hampshire seaside town.  Conditions were good on Sunday for the two-lap flat course along the scenic seafront towards Lee-on-Solent.

First AVR home was Rich Hardy in 17th in a big PB of 1:14.38, second M40.  Ryan Snell, aiming for marathon pace, was 29th in 1:17.54, third M45 with Rob Collier in 116th in 1:25.47 fourth M55.  More than 1300 completed the race.

 

Seven Hill Loop for the Smiths

Tony Smith accompanying son, Jake ran the 15k NN’s Zevenheuvenloop in Nijmegen in the Netherlands on Sunday.  The race, which saw a 15k world record from NN’s Jacob Kiplimo, was undulating with the runners tackling seven hills!

Tony finished in an excellent 1:05.42 while Jake Smith, continuing his comeback was 29th in 45:27.

Success at St Neots Half

Will Campbell and mum, Sue Hayes ran the St Neots half marathon in Cambridgeshire on Sunday.  There were perfect running conditions and even an appearance from the sun. Although there is some undulation the route takes runners along the riverside with a three-mile downhill finish so it is a race known for some fast times.

Will set a target of 90 minutes and smashed it with 1:28.44, coming in 125th while Sue also had a good race finishing 303rd in 1:41.08.  More than 1100 completed the race.

AVR run the “Coly Dog” for Children in Need

On Tuesday evening around sixty members ran the “Coly Dog” to raise money for Children in Need.
The 8-mile route around the town of Colyton and village of Colyford forms a collie dog on the run tracking app, Strava and is in memory of Rosie, a collie belonging to club members Tim and Amie Sibley who designed the route during lockdown.
The club now run it annually and has this year raised more than £500 for Children in Need.  Axe Valley runners is based in East Devon attracting members from Seaton to Lyme Regis and Axminster to Branscombe.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

AVR women had a good day on Saturday with Debbie Whiston first female in 19:59, also third on age-grade, and Kerry Board second female in 22:12.  Eleanor Wood was first on age-grade with a brilliant 92% for her 23:05.  Janet Cullum tipped into 80% age grade for her 28:45.

There were also shiny PBs for Matt Hewer in 18:09, Mark Parsons in 23:17 and Anthony Mullins in 24:12.

Further afield Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Goffert parkrun in the Netherlands before the big race on Sunday.  Rob Collier celebrated his birthday with Sam Summers at Tilgate parkrun in Sussex while Kevin Feeney also celebrated his birthday with Sarah Shepley at Kingston parkrun, alongside the Thames.  Closer to home, Craig Tiley ran the new Simmons parkrun in Okehampton; Paul Johns took part in Central Plymouth parkrun; Simon Dimmock ran Tamar Trails and Jon and Gill Day crossed the border completing Severn Bridge parkrun.

Delightful Drogo!

There was a huge contingent of AVRs at the Drogo 10, a popular and challenging trail race which is also the final race in this year’s club championship.  The event, organised by South West Road Runners, starts and finishes at Castle Drogo taking in views of the stunning Teign Valley and a total climb on the undulating course of some 535m.  After days of cloud runners were greeted with some sunshine and blue sky.

First AVR home was Rik Tumber in seventh place in 1:08.24 with Karen Eyre the first AVR woman to finish taking first F50 in an impressive 1:26.08.

Patrick Devine-Wright was ninth home in 1:10.35 and second M50 closely followed by Tm Lenton, third M50 in 1:11.59,  12th overall.

Full results

Hats off to Seaton parkrun

On Saturday there was birthday hats, cake and a party atmosphere as Seaton parkrun celebrated its eighth birthday.  Since starting in November 2016 nearly 15000 different people have completed the 5k run with 657 different volunteers including, of course, many AVRs.  On Saturday the Event Directors, Carol Austin and Tony Smith presented prizes to those who have volunteered the most and to some of the best hat creations then cut the cake.

In the event itself it was a quiet day for AVR with many volunteering or saving themselves for Drogo so it was a full podium for Chard Flyers.  However Claire Warner returning from a long injury and a recent birthday was third on age grade with 79% for her 27:17 followed by Janet Cullum, 78% for her 29:29 finish.