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New year off to a flyer
At the Chard Flyer 10k held on New Year’s Day it was the perfect start to the year for Joel Seward who took first place in 37:07. The 10k, organised by Chard Road Runners, is all run on footpaths and is predominantly flat but with a wicked long hill at 4k.
Second AVR and sixth overall was Lee Moran in 39:46 who also scooped third M40. Eleanor Wood came in 30th and second F55 in 47:12.
Next AVRs were Cliff Marriott in 58:24 (87th), Vicki Wraight in 58:36 (89th), Katharine Moran in 1.00:23 (102nd), Viv Blumfield in 1:11.02 (120th) and Susan Wall in 1:11.46 (122nd). A total of 134 completed the race in the mild conditions for 1 January.
Bumper time for parkrun
With four parkrun events across the Christmas and New Year there were plenty of opportunities for milestones and PBs. In Seaton, parkrun was held on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Day gave the Seaton team the opportunity for some parkrun toruism.
On Christmas Eve conditions were good and Richard Hardy was second finisher in 18:02 with third place going to Matt Hewer in 18:56. Kerry Board was second female in 21:57. Ron Seward topped the age-grade with 79% for his time of 22:56. There were also PBs for Darrell Farley in 22:50 and Sue Chambers in 29:26.
It was a much windier affair for the 275 who started Christmas Day with a parkrun where AVR chair, Haydn Boehm celebrated reaching his 100th milestone in his usual understated fashion.
This Saturday the conditions were wild, windy and wet but still 211 completed the 5k Esplanade run. Despite this, Steve MacLure nabbed a PB of 27:00. Janette Mack did her 100th parkrun, Chris Polley celebrated his 50th milestone and Louise Rawlins reached her 50 volunteering milestone. Congratulations to all.
With no NYD parkrun in Seaton, the core team, including many AVRs visited Cranbrook Country Park parkrun. Other AVR parkrun results can be found here
Bumper turnout for Bank Holiday 10k
There was a big turnout for the self-timed 10k on Tuesday with 32 completing the time trial and another four completing 5k. A special mention must go to Carly Lowe who ran her first ever 10k.
AVR celebrate successful 2022
The 2022 AVR awards and annual Christmas celebration was held on Saturday evening with a nod to the 1980s as runners wore fancy dress and enjoyed food from the decade.
New chair, Haydn Boehm, fetching as Freddie Mercury, introduced the winners, nominated by the members for performances and other achievements throughout the year. Club captains, Eleanor Wood and Matt Hewer presented the beautiful pottery mugs, made by local potter, Gilly Humphreys.
First up Ron Seward and Kerry Board were crowned male and female runner of the year. Ron has had an excellent year winning the InStep Devon Championships for M70 and securing a number of M70 victories throughout the year. Kerry has had a tremendous year smashing all her PBs from parkrun 5k right up to half-marathon and sealed the year as the overall female winner of the InStep Devon series.
Most Improved Female went to Suzi Blackett for her continuous improvement throughout the year and excellent results in several local races. Matt Frost, who took the Most Improved Male, only joined AVR this year, and has trained and raced consistently achieving goals across short and long distances.
Club Person is awarded for contributions to the club and this year went to Cliff Marriott who has led and coordinated two “Couch to 5K” programmes; supported the ever-increasing “Run-Shiners” group encouraging many from this group to take part in races. He has, with partner Pam, also organised Halloween and Christmas fancy-dress runs.
The Founders award recognises determination and effort to achieve a significant goal. This year’s recipient, Laura Kerr, did this in spades! Despite two back surgeries, she ran a massive PB at the London marathon and also raised money for charity all alongside looking after three children, two dogs and developing a successful hairdressing career.
Ben Stone took the President’s Shield, awarded for a specific outstanding achievement, for winning the East Devon Round – a 65 mile race in which he set a new course record and won by some 20 minutes over the second finisher. A phenomenal achievement.
The Chair’s Award is awarded by the chair and Haydn Boehm presented this to previous Chair, Lesley Adams who was at the helm of the club during the pandemic providing the necessary leadership to ensure the club got through the difficulties presented but also developed in terms of numbers and inclusivity. This award was met by a stadium ovation from all on the night.
Other awards included a Team award for the Men’s 60 team at the Exe Relays; the annual Handicap which was won by Paula Cooke and the Winter 5k Series won by Adrian Strawbridge.
Strong AVR show at the Wellington Monument
Following a two year break due to Covid this popular race returned in challenging weather conditions as the runners tackled the 10k around the bridle path and lanes of Hemyock.
Despite attending the Christmas party the night before, Ron Seward (81st in 51.40) and Eleanor Wood (61st in 48.21) again showed that age is no barrier by picking up first prize in the M70 and F65 respectively.
First to finish from AVR was Joel Seward in 38.14 in ninth place with Richard Hardy 10th in 38.16. Matt Hewer was 19th in 40.10 with Matt Frost hot on his heels in 23rd in 40.39. These four ensured AVR took second place in the team rankings, losing out to SWRR
Jason Potter was 56th in 47.13 and Cory Schultze was 126th in 61.30.
AVR Carols for Care-Homes
On Saturday a group from AVR dressed in their best festive attire toured Seaton’s five care-homes singing Carols for the residents. Appropriately they ran between the homes and finished the morning with mince pies and mulled wine on the Esplanade. Big thanks to Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard for organising this annual event.
Ice causes parkrun cancellation
Seaton parkrun fell victim of the icy conditions on Saturday after a rain shower just as volunteers were setting up caused the Esplanade to freeze over.
There will be a parkrun in Seaton on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day this year, at 9am. Also, on Saturday 31 December but there will not be one in Seaton on New Year’s Day.
To check parkrun events locally and further afield over the festive period visit https://www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/
Jolly cold for the Jolly
There was a very festive start to the 7.5 mile Jolly Run at Escot Park with the snow falling. Seven Elf Valley Runners joined the fun which included lots of hills, mud, ice and snow although no-one wanted to brave the 30 metre slide this year!
Suzi Blackett was first elf in 1.39:29 running with Kirsty Farrington just behind in 1.39:30 with the rest of the elves: Maxine Sweetman, Denise Burges, Gill Day, Rachel Hiscock and Shirley Salter, finishing together in 1.54:20.
Mapperton Muddle
Five hardy AVRs together with 220 others braved sun, snow and frozen ground to participate in the inaugural running of the Mapperton Muddle Half Marathon organised by White Star Running. A 10k race was also available. The races started and finished within the country estate of Mapperton near Beaminster, Dorset and owned by the Earl and Countess of Sandwich with the course including hills; a mixture of woodland and forest trails; open fields and quiet country roads.
Kerry Board finished a terrific year of running by taking second female (15th overall) in a great time of 1.57. Andy West was next AVR in 47th in 2.16 with Ragnhild Richards and Sarah Herfet running together and finishing in 2.57 and Mandy Harris just behind in 3.19.
It was a very tough, tricky course especially in the conditions but runners were rewarded with beautiful scenery and afterwards a medal and goody bag.
Icy parkrun
A beautiful morning in Seaton meant the parkrun was able to go ahead despite the freezing temperatures unlike many local events that fell to the weather. However, a short sleet shower turned the Esplanade to ice during the latter stages so there was a bit of unplanned pebble running for many! Thankfully quick-witted marshals and careful, sensible parkrunners meant everyone (who wanted to) completed the course safely, even if a tad slower than hoped.
First finisher was Joel Seward in 17:22 with Richard Hardy second in 17:39. Eleanor Wood was second female in 22:39 and top on age grade with an incredible 90.88%.
Congratulations to Kevin Feeney who celebrated his 300th parkrun on Saturday.