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Women deliver at the Devon Cross

Lucy Watkinson was second F40 and Kerry Board took the bronze in the F45 category at the Devon County Cross Country Championships held yesterday adjacent to Exeter Arena.  Patrick Devine-Wright was second M50.  In stacked fields and Baltic temperatures these were all excellent results and the winners were rewarded with medal presentations from Olympian and European Champion, Jo Pavey.  Matt Frost and Tim Lenton also took part in the men’s senior event.

Freezing Full Montycute

Matt Clist was a magnificent second overall and first M40 at the Full Montycute in 1:09.35 on a freezing morning on Ham Hill.  The course, which takes in Ham Hill Country Park and is held with the kind permission of the National Trust, included some 1500 feet of elevation.

Rob Collier, first M50 and Eleanor Wood, first F55, were the other prize-winners for AVR in a race won by Wayne Loveridge of Chard Road Runners.  The race, which saw 247 finishers, was organised by Crewkerne Running Club.

Rik Tumber finished in an excellent eighth in 1:15.03 just pipping Richard Hardy, ninth in 1:15.22.  Rob Collier came in 15th in 1:20.11 with Eleanor Wood, in 60th in 1:33.58.

The other AVR results were:  Haydn Boehm, 1:32.56 in 56th; Simon Davey, 1:36.59 in 74th; Ian Kinnersley, 77th in 1:37.58; Jeremy Larcombe, 109th in 1:44.38; Ron Seward, 135th in 1:49.51; and John Larcombe, 208th in 2:05.88.

Christmas cheer for Joel

Joel Seward was third, with the very apt race number 3333, at the Weston Christmas Cracker, a flat, fast 10k run on beach and tarmac in Weston Super Mare.

Chilly morning for parkrun

It was a mighty cold start to Saturday for the 169 finishers at Seaton parkrun so a special shout-out to the volunteers who turn out whatever the weather to support this event.  Matt Frost was first finisher in 18:43 and there were PBs for Simon Freathy in 21:05; Viv Blumfield in 29:52 and Jayne Tumber in 35:05.  Thanks also to the AVRs, Rob Collier, Rik Tumber, Keith Agland, Vicki Wraight, Haydn Boehm and Katharine Moran for their excellent pacing.

Congratulations to Sam Halls on reaching her 100 milestone and to Tony Smith who achieved his 50 at a spot of parkrun tourism last weekend at Parke in Bovey Tracey.

 

Double Delight at Westdown Wander

AVR’s Kerry Board was second female and Lee Moran third male at the inaugural Westdown Wander, a multi-terrain race of just under ten miles starting and finishing on Exmouth seafront.  Conditions were grey but mild and dry, though recent heavy rains ensured squelchy and slippery surfaces on much of the route, which started with a good section of the beach, took in the coast path climb to Orcombe Point as well as some of the Exmouth to Budleigh railway path on the return journey.

Fourteen AVRs were amongst the 130 finishers for the race yesterday organised by Exmouth Harriers and replacing the Bicton Blister.  Angus Menter, currently without a club, won the men’s race with Roger Easterbrook of Teignbridge Trotters second. The Trotters had a good day out as Susanna Goffe and Mandy Wheeler also took the first and third women’s prizes for the club.

Kerry Board won the second female place prize (23rd overall and also first F45). in a brilliant 1:16:32. And her result also secures her first place in the InStep Devon Championship so many congratulations to Kerry.

First AVR back was Lee Moran in 1:05:26, taking the men’s third place prize and first M40. Both Kerry and Lee took home environmentally-friendly, edible prizes of beautiful seasonal vegetable boxes.  Hats off to the organisers, Exmouth Harriers for that initiative.

Next in was Patrick Rosello, 27th in 1:27.22 then the ever impressive Eleanor Wood, fifth female (31st 1:19:07 & first F65), closely followed by Andy West (42nd 1:22:32). James Hawker (1:24:45), Ron Seward (1:26:58, first M70) and Jeremy Slade (1:28:51) put in impressive performances to finish 47th, 56th & 61st overall. Storming Suzi Blackett was 69th (1:30:52) and Steve Lewis 72nd (1:32:41).  Martin Sawer was 81st in 1:36.57 with Lindsey & Simon Freathy (1:41:38 & 1:41:39) coming over the line together 91st & 92nd and Bob Carter finished the AVR procession in 97th place (1:44:56).

The runners were accompanied during part of the race by a bagpiper out to remember Doddie Weir, the rugby legend who died on Saturday of Motor Neurone Disease.  A lovely touch.

Gusty parkrun

Ritchie Durrant was third finisher in 17:56 at Seaton parkrun, which returned after its week off due to engineering works on the Esplanade.   It wasn’t a PB day with the strong wind certainly playing its part.  Congratulations to Sam Tooze and Paula Cooke who both celebrated their 50 milestones on Saturday.

 

 

Champion Chilly 10k for AVR

Terry Emmett and Joel Seward travelled up to the Cotswolds to run the fast, flat Castle Coombe 10k which is a multi-lap race circuit.

Both AVRs finished in podium positions with Terry in second in a brilliant 33:51 and Joel taking third in 35:21; outstanding performances in a high-quality field.

Colydog supports Children in Need

On Friday, around 50 AVRs ran the now famous ‘Colydog’ Strava art route around Colyton and Colyford in aid of BBC’s Children in Need and in memory of Tim and Amie Sibley’s collie, Rosie.  A massive £334 has been raised so far for the charity and a great evening finished with fish and chips and a drink at the Kingfisher.  Huge thanks to Tim, Amie and Matt Hewer for leading the groups.

A chance for parkrun tourism

With Seaton parkrun cancelled due to beach engineering works closing a big section of the route, many took the opportunity for a spot of parkrun tourism with AVRs at Exeter Riverside, Killerton, Exmouth, Haldon Forest, Frogmary, St Mary’s Bridport, Longrun Meadow Taunton, and Cranbrook. Luke Reed celebrated his 50th parkrun with a PB and third finisher at Exmouth in 17:08.

All AVR results at parkrun events can be found here: https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1863