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Ultimate ultras
Vicki Wraight and Jeremy Slade decided one marathon wasn’t enough and completed the West Country Flat 50 which is actually 52 miles and definitely not all flat! The race started in Taunton with runners heading out of town alongside the canal for the first 15 miles to Bridgwater. The muddy banks of the River Perratt takes runners up to the Somerset coast to Hinckley Point Power Station where, after 30 miles, the hills kick in. The final 20 miles follows the coast to East Quantoxhead, before turning inland through undulating terrain and re-joining the coast at Watchet. A long, hilly stretch then takes runners into the final mile in Minehead.
The two AVRs ran together until around mile 29 when Vicki pushed on as Jeremy struggled with stomach cramps. Vicki ran on to complete the final 23 miles in an incredible solo effort even managing a sprint finish in a hugely impressive time of 13 hours 11.25. Jeremy used all his physical and mental strength to get going again and did so to finish not far behind Vicki in 13 hours 45.05. A mammoth and memorable run by both.
Down in Dorset, Tom Parsons also took on a huge distance completing the Jurassic Coast Challenge, a 100k race from Corfe Castle to Bridport. Using the spectacular but tough South West Coast Path, Tom ran with friends and together they were raising money for two excellent causes: Alzheimer’s Society and Great Ormand Street Hospital. They completed the 100k with a mix of running, walking, shuffling and crawling, in a superb 17 hours, 11 minutes.
Brock victory at Blazer
There was a big turn-out of AVRs at the Beer Blazer with a 5-mile and 10-mile option available and AVRs also helping with back-marking and much of the marshalling and organisation. The Blazer, which uses much of the infamous Grizzly route, is organised by and raises funds for Beer Primary School PTFA.
In the 10-mile event, AVR’s Emilie Brock and Joshua Carr from Thames Hare & Hounds took the victories. Emilie finished in a brilliant 1:30.16, 13th overall and first F40.
Carr finished in 1:11.44 followed by a host of AVRs. Andrew Snook was second in 1:16.34 and, also, first M40 with Matt Clist in 1:19.04 third and second M40. Richard Hardy, fourth was third M40 (1:19.20) and Rik Tumber, fifth (1:19.52). Tim Lenton was first M45 (1:24.27); Ian Kinnersley was first M60 (1:41.21) with Eleanor Wood, fifth female and first F65 (1:42.53); Ron Seward first M70 (1:53.23) and Margaret Pearce first F50 (2:07.32).
Simon Dimmock of AVR took first prize for the 5-mile event finishing in 42.50 with Tavistock’s Sarah Holland first female in 50.11.
Full results are available here
Lumpy Leeds
Mandy Harris travelled up to Leeds to take part in the Jane Tomlinson’s Run for All Half Marathon. It was a hilly route and a very warm day so Mandy was pleased to finish in 2:20.20. This year was also the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon so both events finished in Headingly Stadium, home of the Leeds Rhinos, and raised funds for MND.
Out in Ocean City
Kelly Nickels and Chris Polley both ran the Ocean City Plymouth Half-Marathon with Kelly finishing in 2:15.11. Chris ran with his daughter who completed her first ever Half-marathon.
Runaway Train
Over in Somerset, Emma Richardson, Julia Conway and Sam Tooze took part in an 8.5 mile trail race, the Runaway Train, using some disused railway lines and through some spectacular countryside around Shepton Mallet. Bec Davey and Helen Boehm enjoyed the shorter 3 mile version.
Although there were no official times, they were rewarded for their efforts with beautiful views, bluebells, a viaduct plus a wooden memento and a whole lot of fun!
Sunny Seaton parkrun
It was a glorious day for parkrun on Saturday with more than 200 happy parkrunners enjoying the pebbles in Seaton including many visitors. Matt Frost was third finisher in a PB of 18.20 with Kerry Board third female home in 22.28.
With the great conditions there were also PBs for Jason Potter in 20.51; Paul Johns 21.44 and Craig Tiley, who is on a roll of PBs, in 24.54.
Wayne Tooze celebrated reaching his 50 parkrun milestone sporting his recent London marathon finishers’ Tee.
Outstanding Ottery
It was a weekend of 10ks for AVR with a good turnout at the Ottery 10k on Sunday, part of the In-Step Devon series and organised by Honiton Running Club. The fast, flat race started and finished at Ottery St Mary Cricket Club using country lanes around the town. This year five-time Olympian and European champion, Jo Pavey started the runners off and then took part herself before presenting prizes.
First AVR home in 38:23 was Matt Frost in an excellent tenth place. Kerry Board was first AVR female to finish, eighth female, in 45:48, chased all the way by Laura Kerr who smashed her PB to finish in 45:49. Other AVRs who took part were:
Simon Dimmock 40:23 23rd; Eleanor Wood 46:31 63rd; Ron Seward 47:08 72nd; Andy Charrington 49:00 79th; Suzi Blackett 50:16 90th; Jeremy Norcombe 50:25 92nd; Kelly Giles 52:58 110th; Corey Schultze 53:00 112th; Cliff Marriott 55:50 139th; Angela Kerr 56:36 148th; Fiona Seward 62:42 184th; Rachel Hiscock 64:01 191st; Maxine Sweetman 66:20 195th; Denise Burges 79:22 222nd; and Gill Day 79:23 223rd
A total of 227 runners completed the race and big thanks go to Roger Saunders and Howard Bidmead at Honiton RC for a great event including booking the best weather of the weekend!
AVRs before the Ottery 10k
Brilliant Bideford
Conditions were near perfect for the Bideford 10k with a large field of about 800 runners lining up alongside the River Torridge for the fast, flat course that takes in views of the Taw and Torridge estuary between Bideford and Instow returning on the Tarka Trail. Olympian Phil Norman took the win in a fast time of 30:35!
Rich Hardy was 14th overall in a rapid 34:28 scooping the second M40 prize.
The race is always a popular one for the older age categories with a discounted entry and prizes for all ages up to 80! The event attracted an incredible 28 runners over the age of 70 proving that running is not just a sport for the young. AVR’s Diane Newton was over the moon to finish in 1:14:24, after a difficult period of running, improving both her time and place from last year.
All finishers received a fetching pink T-shirt. The race was very well organised by Bideford AAC.
Rich Hardy with his second M40 prize
Seaton parkrun
It was a wet and chilly parkrun on Saturday in Seaton, definitely not Spring weather. First finisher was AVR’s Joel Seward in 17.20 with Terry Emmett coming in second in a PB of 17.48. First female was Deborah Whiston in 20.0 and first on age-grade in 79.4%.
Despite the downpours there were PBs for Dave Hutton in 24.31 and Craig Tiley in 25.39. Janet Cullum celebrated her 100 milestone while Keith Agland reached 200 as one of many pacers from AVR.
Coronation BH 10k Time Trial
On a damp and mizzly morning 36 AVRs kickstarted their bank holiday with a self-timed 10k time trial beginning in Colyford and finishing on the Esplanade. It is the first of the bank holiday time trials for 2023 with coffee at Hideaway replacing the planned picnic and swim! Matt Hewer was first to finish with Deborah Whiston first female.
AVRs before the Coronation 10k Time Trial
Results here.
An extraordinary day out!
Four AVRs tackled the East Devon Round on Saturday with Julia Mallon completing the 104k Full Round, a remarkable achievement given just 33 completed the course which included an elevation of an incredible 9665 ft. Starting at 5.30 am, with a piper to see the runners off from Offwell, the route took runners through forests of bluebells, across to Axminster and then onto Lyme where a tough section of the course followed the coast path over the Undercliffs into Seaton. Julia was supported for some 22 miles by Emma Richardson, Helen Holmes and Suzi Blackett.
After running through the Wetlands to Colyton the course went along the East Devon Way up to Sidford, Gittisham and beyond before returning to Offwell via a final loop north of Honiton. Finishing at 2.30 am the following morning in a phenomenal 21:05.33, Julia describes the event as “a brilliant day out!”.
Stephen Grigg, Dan Clist and James Hawker all completed the Half Round, following the same route as the first half of the Full and still a challenging 50k (35 miles) around 6000 feet of elevation finishing in Blackbury Camp. Stephen was a brilliant fourth finisher in an amazing 6:46.20. Dan and James ran together finishing in 8:59.37 -ultra runners and ultra brilliant.
Big thanks also to go to those providing the all-important feed stations and checkpoints on the route. In Axmouth, AVR managed the checkpoint with Sam Halls, Rob Collier and Rik Tumber working hard all day supplying essentials to the runners passing through.
North Dorset Village Marathon
At the North Dorset Village Marathon Ryan Snell was fifth in a very impressive 2:49.18 taking the first M40 prize. The 26.2m underlating run attracted 167 finishers, and began at Sturminster High School going along country lanes through a series of villages across North Dorset.
Round the Tor
Ian Kinnersley travelled to Glastonbury for the Round the Tor 10k. The course was run on country lanes around the Tor with a great atmosphere boosted by good crowds of spectators throughout the course.
He finished 38th out of 288 runners and 2nd in the MV60 category in 42:22.
1-2-3 at Seaton parkrun
AVR took the first three places at the Seaton parkrun on Saturday with Jack Broom (16.41), Joel Seward (16.46), and Ritchie Durrant (in a PB of 16.50) battling it out all the way. First female finisher was Deborah Whiston in 19.56.
The top six age-grade times were all AVR with Eleanor Wood 92% for 22.31; Ron Seward 80% for 22.34; Deborah Whiston, 79.6%; Carol Austin 78.3% for 24.46; Joel Seward 77.8% and Jack Broom 77%.
Jayne Tumber nabbed another PB in 33.16. There was a great turnout of 244 parkrunners this week.