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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.
Magnificent Mendips
What better way to end a late summer sunny Saturday than with a visit to the beach. Most of us wouldn’t run 30 miles first but Tim and Amie Sibley along with Jeremy Slade chose to run the Mendip Marauder 30 Miler. The run starts in Wells in Somerset and follows the West Mendip Way up and over the Mendip hills (more than once) before finishing on the beach at Uphill Sands. They endured the brutal hills and enjoyed the wonderful views before finishing on the beach in around 8hrs 26 minutes. A great day out and a rather impressive well-deserved medal.
Blistering Bridgewater
A handful of AVRs ventured to Bridgwater on a very hot Sunday with half-marathon and 10k races available. Both the half marathon and 10k were really flat and fast, but the 11 am start meant the runners got the full blast of the late summer high temperatures.
In the half marathon, Ryan Snell finished 10th and third M40 in 1:19:36; Alan Hornibrook, celebrated the birth of his first grandchild, was 75th in 1:41:05, third M60; Jacqui Stokes was 196th in 2:06:48 and Adele Girdwood finished 200th in 2:07:25, fourth F50 with 346 completing the course.
Fiona and Ron Seward opted for the 10k. Ron was 39th in 47:06, whilst Fiona finished in 1:03:28, 134th with 209 taking part.
Boiling Big Half
In a race that saw Mo Farah make his final appearance racing in his home city of London, Duncan Staddon and Rob Collier both impressed with their times of 1:16.55 and 1:22.23 respectively. Despite the 8.30am start it was already hot as the 15000 competitors ran the 13.1 miles from Shadwell along the Thames to Canary Wharf then crossing the river at Tower Bridge, enjoying the spectacular views of the Cutty Sark just before the finish in Greenwich.
Duncan was 196th and 11th M40 with Rob 468th, 12th M50. The race represented the British Championships for the half marathon distance so there were quality fields across the board. Jack Rowe took the victory in 1:01.08 with Cali Thackery the female crown finishing in 1:09.15.
Woodbury Trail 10k
This new race, organised by Budleigh Salterton Lions Club, was supported by four AVRs as Cliff Marriott; Aaron and Louise Rawlins; and Darrell Farley enjoyed the tough off road terrain in the boiling hot sunshine on Woodbury Common. First AVR home was Aaron in 55:43, 24th place, with Darrell 56th in 1:07.05; Cliff 73rd in 1:10.22 and Louise, struggling with injury but still taking ten minutes off last year’s time, was 99th in 1:15.41.
Inter-Services Success
Last Wednesday Debbie Whiston represented the Army at the Inter-Service 10km Champs at Eton Dorney on Wednesday coming fourth overall and second Female Masters in 39: 26.01.
News from parkrun
There was another bumper turnout at Seaton for parkrun on Saturday with 253 finishers. Ritchie Durrant took second in 17:17 with Rich Hardy third finisher in 18:24. Despite her race on Wednesday, Debbie Whiston was first female finisher in 19:39 after a great battle with visitor, Gemma Collier. She also first on age-grade in 80.8%.
Dave Hutton in 24:02; Ann-Louise Gridley in 30:24; and Kathryn Thompson in 30:58 all celebrated PBs. Big thanks as ever to the volunteers and pacers from AVR that support this event.
Tourism for parkrun continues with Rob Collier, Sam Summers and Rupert Pady in Horsham and Jo Orsman completing Ashton Court parkrun. Others can be seen here
Points make Prizes
There was a big turnout for the August Bank Holiday 10k time trial as it was the last opportunity to improve scores in this event for the new AVR Annual Challenge where runners tackle a series of events throughout the year.
The sun shone as 44 AVRs started the 10k at Colyford Post Office running through the Seaton Wetlands down onto the Esplanade, avoiding the temptation of the Bank Holiday market, to the Hideaway, the halfway mark. Then it was back along the Esplanade and up the Axmouth Straight alongside the River Axe before turning before the church to retrace the route back to the Hideaway. First home was Matt Clist in an impressive 34:22; first female was Debbie Whiston in 41:58; Lindsey Freathy knocked 90 seconds off her May time, Mark Day knocked off a huge five minutes to finish in 54:38 while Janet Cullum and Alison Gould improved by three minutes each in 62:02 and 62:04 respectively. Full results here.
Lustleigh 10k
Eleanor Wood and Julia Teague enjoyed a 10k as part of the Bank Holiday Lustleigh Village Show. It was a tough hilly route with Eleanor, returning from injury, finishing in an excellent 54:52 and Julia in 64:17.
Seaton parkrun
There was another big turnout with 268 finishers. Debbie Whiston was second female in 19:43, third on age-grade in 80%. Zoe Trewick and Georgie Ryan celebrated PBs in 27:36 and 30:41, respectively.
Summer trips meant more parkrun tourism with Wayne and Sam Tooze running Prospect Park parkrun before letting their hair down at the Reading Festival while Emma Ellynn enjoyed beautiful Trelissick parkrun in Cornwall. Seven AVRs popped over to Killerton for a hilly off-road parkrun. All AVR parkrun results are here.