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Defib Dash raises awareness
This week’s Axe Valley Runners club night had a bit of a twist – to raise awareness of the location of all local defibrillators (AEDs). Following a recent first aid course that many members took part in to learn the importance of and how to use AEDs, the next stage was to find out where they are all located.
On Tuesday, each group had a map with a different route to locate as many as they could. Dependent on the pace of each group this ranged from four to eight. More than 70 members joined the fun but important evening, followed by a BBQ at Seaton Cricket Club where funds were also raised for MacMillan Cancer Support with a cake sale that raised more than £200. Big thanks go to Heather Simmons for all her organisation and the top team of BBQ chefs on the night including Sarah and Ronnie Whelan and Claire Warner.
Here are a few pictures from the evening to enjoy:
Muggy Martock
A handful of AVRs headed up into Somerset for the Martock 10k, on a scenic and flat course promising fast times. But the sunshine, heat and closeness of the air was very challenging.
First AVR home in fifth place, and second M40, was Duncan Staddon in 36:13. Ron Seward was first M70, 94th in an impressive 47:06. Second M70 was another AVR, Eric Emerson in 54:27, 181st overall. Ann Coston finished in 52:12, second F50 and 149th with Angela Kerr in 55:28, 197th, second F60.
Other AVRs were Katharine Moran, 58:05, 232nd, Fiona Seward, 62:56, 273rd and Shirley Salter, 68:48, 320th. A total of 384 finished the race to be rewarded with a lovely wooden medal.
Giant Half
Mandy Harris ran White Star Running’s Giants Head half marathon in Dorset on Sunday in 3:11.18. With just over 1500 ft of climb it was another tough half in very hot conditions that took in the Cerne Abbas Giant.
PBs galore at sunny Seaton parkrun
Ryan Snell was second finisher in a PB of 17:41 with Debbie Whiston second female finisher in 19:39, also second on age-grade in 80.8%. Emilie Brock was third female in a PB of 19:57. On a sunny morning in perfect conditions there were also PBs for David Cull, 20:13; Jeremy Norcombe, 22:58; Zoe Trewick, 29:05; and Ann-Louise Gridley, 31:39.
Up in Teddington Kevin Feeney celebrated his 100th run at Bushy Park parkrun, the location of the first ever parkrun nearly 20 years ago. Keen to secure the “where it all started” parkrun challenge, Carol Austin, Martin Kerr and Angela Kerr made the pilgrimage there to run their first Bushy while Sarah Shepley completed her 39th at Bushy.
Aileen and Peter Heal completed Somerville Pavilion parkrun, known for its famous “curly-wurly” finish. All AVR parkrun results can be found here
Man v Horse
David and Susi Sadler travelled to mid-Wales for the infamous Man v Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells. It was blisteringly hot for the 21-mile race which challenges runners to outrun the horses across mountainous terrain with an incredibly steep 3800 feet ascent.
For only the fourth time since the race began in 1980 a runner did actually beat the horse with Daniel Connolly finishing in 2:24.38. First horse home was DNS Ronaldo ridden by Kate Atkinson in 2:34.25. The race was started by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth along with Susie Chan, endurance runner and peloton instructor, with the two of them then running the race.
David and Susi are dedicated Man v Horse participants with David having taken part eight times and Susi nine, including once riding a horse! They described this year’s event as the hardest yet due largely to the heat but loved it more than ever!
Sizzling Southend
On Sunday Ron Seward ran the Southend half-marathon in sizzlingly hot Southend where the mercury hit 26 degrees! A brilliantly marshalled course comprising of two loops along the seafront was interspersed with water sprays and numerous drinks stops. Ron finished an excellent 291st from more than 1500 finishers in 1:47:06. Given the conditions he was pleased with the time.
Tutu Tribe celebrate milestones
Another sunny Saturday in Seaton saw 244 finishers at parkrun and milestones for AVR’s Louise Rawlins celebrating completing 25 events and Haydn Boehm reaching 50 volunteer stints. They were joined by a big group of friends from AVR’s Runshiners to celebrate, all brightly adorned in tutus for the occasion. At parkrun volunteering and completing the 5k is celebrated with milestone T-shirts, wristbands, buffs and vests available when you reach 25, 50, 100, 250 and, even, 500.
First finisher on Saturday was AVR’s Ritchie Durrant in 17.44 with AVR’s Debbie Whiston first female in 19.55, also second on age-grade with 79%. Andy West, back from injury, was third on age-grade with 77% for his 22.43. Ann-Louise Gridley got a PB, 32.44 and Simon Dimmock celebrated an impressive 200th parkrun.