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Triple AVR success in Berlin
Three AVRs were successful in securing places at the prestigious BMW Berlin marathon this year and all put in tremendous performances. The race, known for its fast and flat course, saw Ethiopia’s Tigsy Assefa smash the women’s marathon world record in a brilliant 2:11.53 and the double Olympic champion, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s race for a record fifth time in 2:02.42. British Olympic hopeful, Charlotte Purdue leapt to second in the UK all-time rankings with her ninth place, 2:22.17
For the AVRs first home was Rob Collier in a very impressive 2:53.14, 1803rd male overall and 84th M50. Haydn Boehm had his taper interrupted battling a virus but still finished with a shiny marathon PB in 3:43.05, male 11206th . Meanwhile Angela Kerr was running an incredible 50th marathon finishing 8681st, female an excellent 46th F65 in 4:42.27.
More than 40,000 completed the race which also saw former AVR, Graham Newton run a very impressive 3:50.03 to take tenth M70 place.
Exmouth 10k
Bob Carter took the short trip to Exmouth for the Bradley’s 10k, a fast and flat two-lap race on the Esplanade. He was pleased with his 58.25 finish 152nd place given the wild and windy conditions on Sunday. More than 250 took part this year.
Marazion 10k
Cliff Marriott, Derek Blumfield, John Hocking and Iain Westworth ran the Marazion 10k in Cornwall on Sunday afternoon. It is a flattish course, described by the organisers wonderfully as a “one loop, left turn race with 131m of elevation, which is basically Cornish flat with a bit of hill near the finish.”
Clearly the route suited Iain who nabbed a PB finishing in 54.06, 125th. First AVR home was John in 104th place in 52.40; Cliff was 141st in 55.41; and Derek, back after a long injury lay-off, was 270th in 1:07.22. More than 300 took part on Sunday. Sadly Viv Blumfield was a DNS due to a knee injury.
Seaton parkrun
It was another successful parkrun for AVR at Seaton with Matt Clist, enjoying his first ever parkrun, coming in first finisher in 16.50 pipping Joel Seward who was second in 17.05. Debbie Whiston was first female in 19.51 and it was a clean sweep for AVR on the age-graded top three with Eleanor Wood with an amazing 90% for her 23.12 followed by Matt Clist, 83% and Debbie Whiston, 80%.
Conditions were excellent on Saturday and Mark Day, 24.14; Andy Broom, 25.11 and Jo Orsman, 26.44 all made the most of it with shiny new PBs.
Co-event director, Carol Austin reached her 250th volunteer milestone.
On the tourism front, Tony Smith and Sam Miller ran Poznan parkrun in Poland while Kristian Mears took part in Farfelle parkrun in Italy. Tim Sibley completed Maesteg in Wales with David and Paula Cooke taking the crown for furthest parkrun this week running Okanagan parkrun in Canada. Other AVRs on the road can be found here:
Yeovilton – final summer hoorah
There was a good showing of AVRs at the final event of the Yeovilton Summer 5k Series held on Wednesday with the team sweeping the board in the M40 category. First AVR home, in ninth overall, was Duncan Staddon in 16.37 and first M40. Second M40, 13th overall, was Matt Orsman in 16.54 with third M40, Richard Hardy, 18th overall in 17.15. Joel Seward, on the comeback trail after a cricket induced break, was 12th finisher in 16.49. Rob Collier was an impressive 27th, second M50 in 17.48. Matt Frost, recovering from the Great North Run, was 29th in 17.58 with David Cull taking fourth M40 in 18.04, 33rd overall. Adrian Strawbridge was delighted with a PB of 19.54. Rupert Pady was 78th in 21.07.
On the women’s side, Karen Eyre was 26th female in 22.08 with Suzi Blackett 30th for her impressive PB of 23.10.
Glastonbury: but not as you know it!
Five AVRs ventured into Somerset for the Glastonbury Levels 10k and 10 mile races on a very wet Sunday. Both races share the same, flat, fast course around, but not up, the famous Glastonbury Tor.
Joel Seward chose the longer option coming an excellent third place in 59:51. Ian Kinnersley was 15th in the 10 mile event, scooping first M60. There were 50 finishers in the 10 mile race with just over a 100 taking the shorter, 10k option.
In the 10k Adrian Strawbridge was 29th in 43.58, running on tired legs after the Yeovilton 5k. Louise Rawlins was delighted to improve on last year’s time finishing just shy of her PB in 55.18, 72nd place, but with still enough energy to jump into one of the many puddles following the biblical rainstorm! Ron Seward was 38th in a great time of 46.39, second M70.
Chippenham Half
Tom Parsons completed the Chippenham Half Marathon in 1:53.15, a time he was very happy with after a post-Jurassic Ultra injury and reduced training while travelling around Europe!
He describes it as a great flat course perfect for a PB in the future. And the biblical rain didn’t reach Wiltshire until the early afternoon, so running conditions were perfect! One for the future, AVRs!
Seaton parkrun
It was a damp morning on Saturday but the very heavy rain held off as just over 200 parkrunners enjoyed the best possible start to the weekend. First female finisher was Debbie Whiston in 20.47 with Luke Reed third overall in 18.21. First on age grade was Eleanor Wood with a huge 88% for her 23.32 finish. There were PBs for Andy Broom in 26.06 and Jason Hill in 34.24. Susan Wall celebrated her 50 parkrun milestone.
On the roads, Simon and Bec Davey completed Ashton Court parkrun; Kevin Feeney and Sarah Shepley secured their ‘E’ and a great day out at the Eden Project parkrun; Tim and Amie Sibley ran Fell Foot parkrun while in the Lake District; Mark Spraggs did Penrose parkrun in Cornwall; and Tony Smith and Sam Miller visited South Norwood parkrun in London, one towards the ‘Compass club’!
Red Arrows, Mo and Matt!
After a few weeks without much racing the action came thick and fast this weekend.
Matt Frost travelled up to his homeland in the north-east on Sunday to join the 60,000+ runners of the Great North Run. The half marathon, which starts in Newcastle and finishes in South Shields, is the biggest and most famous of the Great Run series and, on Sunday, Mo Farah chose it as his final (final) retirement event. It also includes, weather permitting, a spectacular display from the famous Red Arrows.
The race was won by Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola in 59:50 with Mo Farah finishing fourth. Just behind them 544thplace was Matt Frost in an impressive 1:27.16. He said he found it tough but the highlight was a ‘high five’ from Newcastle manager, and race starter, Eddie Howe.
AVR women centre-stage in Somerset
Starting at Taunton racecourse, the Blackdown Half- Marathon was mainly trail with some quiet country roads and plenty of challenging climbs, including up to the highest point in the Blackdown Hills. On Sunday runners faced first thunderstorms then heat and humidity during the event, which was actually closer to 14 miles!
It was an all-female contingent for AVR on Sunday with first AVR home Kerry Board in a brilliant 2.03.07 to take second female and 25th overall. Dawn Currah finished in an impressive 2.23.13, first F60. Ragnhild Richards finished in 2.35.13; Kelly Giles in 2.37.21; and Rachel Hiscock in 3.08.38.
New Forest Half
Mark Spraggs headed over to the New Forest for the Garmin organised half-marathon. A stunning multi-terrain course running through the heart of the New Forest with a blend of forest enclosures, open roads, far reaching views and of course, the famous New Forest Ponies. With more than 1100 finishers, Mark finished in an impressive 200th place in 1:47.54 on the fast, flat course.
Bosun and CapTEN
The capTEN and its partner the Bosun are run over the glorious Golden Cap in Dorset. The capTEN is actually now 11 miles with the organisers generously adding an extra mile to take in both Golden Cap and Thorncombe Beacon, the crown jewels of the Jurassic Course, over the two-lap course.
Eleanor Wood was first F60 and an excellent 13th overall, from 43 finishers, in 2:17.25 run in the soaring September temperatures and over the tough course with more than 3200 feet of elevation, equivalent to climbing Scafell Pike!
The Bosun is the one-lap, 5.5 mile race, still challenging with 1500 feet of elevation. Kevin Feeney was sixth MV60 and 33rd overall finishing in 1:17.11 with 61 completing the race.
Wye Valley Half
Last Saturday Julia Teague took part in the Wye Valley Half Trail Race. The race was 14 miles, so just over a half marathon, with plenty of challenging elevation. Starting from Chepstow Racecourse with 200 runners, the route was stunning, crossing from England into Wales and back again, some technical parts, some woodland, some field, passing through picturesque villages, and even went through a cave! In Julia’s view there was never a dull moment, it was a super friendly event with a really lovely medal and goodie-bag and one she recommends to AVRs in the future. Julia was happy with her 3 hours finish in her first race for a while.
Yeovilton 5k
Adrian Strawbridge and David Cull were the only 2 AVRs at the Yeovilton Town Road Running Club 5k series, penultimate race last Wednesday evening. Gutsy runs from both in unreasonably hot and sticky conditions, with another solid run from Adrian in at 20:25 and David shaving more time off with a shiny PB of 18:37, finishing 8th and 25th respectively (2nd and 7th M40).
With the series finishing next week there is still the opportunity for AVRs to log their best summer 5k. Head over to the AVR facebook page for details on entry, car-sharing and a potential drink afterwards.
AVR dominate Seaton parkrun
AVRs placed two out of three in male, female and age-grade positions at Seaton parkrun on Saturday. In perfect running conditions, Debbie Whiston was first female finisher in 20.17 with Karen Eyre, third in 22.55; Ritchie Durrant was second male in 17.06 with Joel Seward third in 17.24; and Carol Austin placed second on age-grade in 80.3% for 24:09 and Ron Seward 79% for 22.52. There was a PB for Ann-Louise Gridley in 29.40, paced superbly by Keith Agland.
Over at Stopline Way junior parkrun Vicki Wraight reached her 100th volunteer milestone; an excellent achievement.
AVRs continue to enjoy their parkrun tourism with Tim and Amie Sibley scooping an I for the alphabet challenge at Isabel Trail parkrun and Mandy Harris enjoying her first ever away day parkrun at Polkemmet Country parkrun, near Bathgate, Scotland.