Latest News

First Chance for a PB!

AVR’s female runner of 2022 along with our most-improved male and female of 2022, all started the new year where they left off. Kerry Board, Matt Frost and Suzi Blackett made the best of the fast and flat course to secure 10K PBs at the Exeter First Chance on Sunday.

Matt Frost was an excellent 31st in 37.23 in a race won in a very impressive 30.55 by Shaun Antell of Bideford AAC.

Kerry Board also picked up her trophy for winning the 2022 In Step Devon Championship and a prize for first F45 in the same champs.  She also made the best possible start to this year’s Champs by finishing 149th in 44:5, second F45.

Suzi Blackett was 243rd taking two minutes off her PB to finish in 50.23.  Darrell Farley was 192nd in 47:43; Cory Schultze was 281st in 52:10 and, completing the AVR line-up was Angela Kerr, returning from injury and illness, who finished in 1:06.17 (490th).  A total of 565 runners completed Sunday’s event; the first in this year’s In Step Devon Championship.

Bumper AVR turnout at Axmouth Challenge

Runners at the Axmouth Challenge on Sunday faced every weather possible with rain, thunder, hail and high winds as well as mud, hills and tricky camber to test them over a choice of 9 miles, 5 miles or 3 miles.

It was a terrific win for Richard Hardy in the nine-mile event coming in magnificently under the hour in 59.34, more than a minute ahead of the second placed finisher.  In third place and first M40 was Andrew Snook in 1:01.05 with Joel Seward hot on his heels in 1:01.08 to take fourth spot.  Matt Orsman came in fifth in 1:03.36 to take first M45.

A brilliant fourth female, and first F65, was Eleanor Wood in 1:17.35.  Ian Kinnersley (29th) was first M60 in 1:18.54.

In the five-mile event, AVR scooped second and third with Simon Dimmock in 42:21 and Tony Smith, who was also first M40, third in 44:20. Great to see a medal for a different member of the Smith family!

Other AVRs amongst the 68 finishers in the longer race were:  Rupert Wiseman, 12th in 1:12.48; Adrian Strawbridge, 19th in 1:15.47; Haydn Boehm, 20th in 1:16.01; Simon Freathy, 21st in 1:17.02; Jason Potter, 23rd in 1:17.13; Andy West, 32nd in 1:19.31; Pete Hallett, 35thin 1:20.46; Mike Wadsworth, 39th in 1:23.46; Barry Follett, 41st in 1:23.56; Jeremy Larcombe, 44th in 1:25.45; Dan Clist, 47th in 1:27.55; Adele Girdwood, 52nd in 1:30.15; James Ashworth, 54th in 1:30.49; Henry Smith, 57th in 1:33.27; Ragnhild Kordt Richards, 59th in 1:34.07; Steve MacLure, 60th in 1:34.24; Julia Teague, 61st in 1:35.23; David Wayne, 62nd in 1:36.26; Vicki Wraight, 63rd in 1:38.54; Katharine Moran, 65th in 1:39.22; and John Larcombe, 66th in 1:41.31.

In the shorter race, the other AVRs were:  Kevin Feeney, 14th (and first M65) in 59:48; Kelly Nickels, 17th (and first F40) in 1:01.36; Martin Chesterman, 19th in 1:01.56; Paula Cooke, 23rd in 1:03.27; Sue Chambers, 25th in 1:04.41; Carolyn Nation, 30th in 1:06.07; Roberta Wadsworth, 31st in 1:13.57; Duncan Davison, 32nd in 1:28.31 and Carly Lowe, 33rd in 1:31.04.

Elaine Chesterman was the sole AVR in the three-mile race finishing 11th in 43:48.

South-west Cross Country Champs

Also enjoying the mud after so much rain, Rik Tumber travelled to RNAS Merryfield in Somerset to take part in his first ever cross country finishing in a creditable 28.33 for the 4.1m muddy course, 101st, in a field of club and county runners from Cornwall to Gloucestershire

Handicap underway

Despite it being a wild and windy January evening some 30 members took part in the first handicap of the year with the maximum 20 points going to Heather Simmons.  Dave Hutton and Sue Chambers lie second and third, respectively.  Next Handicap will take place on Tuesday 7 February, 1830 hours from Seaton Cricket Club. Results can be found here   Handicap monthly prizes will all be presented at the end of the year Awards Evening.

Wild and windy for parkrun

It was a wild, wet and windy first parkrun of the year in Seaton on Saturday and it was definitely not a day for fast times or PBs.  Nevertheless AVR’s Emilie Brock was first female to finish in 22:50 with James Green second finisher overall in 18:29.

In the bad weather remember to always check any parkrun is on before travelling by visiting the website or social media.  Most event teams aim to do a course check by 8am.

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/