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Team AVR take the win in Meldon
Four AVRs took part in South-West Fell Runners’ Meldon Skyline fell race on Saturday which was a 12.5k hilly route across part of Dartmoor with more than 600 feet of climb. A steep start straight up to Yes Tor before a skip across to Fordinsland ledge and a long technical descent to Homerton Hill meant no let-up for the runners. There were a few navigational options in the valley before another summit to the Tor where the footing improved for a fast finish.
First home for AVR was Tim Lenton who was seventh overall and first M40 in 1:00.23 with James Green hot on his heels finishing in 1:00.35, eighth and second M40. Patrick Devine-Wright was 15th and second M50 in 1:07.06 with Rik Tumber just behind him in 16th overall in 1:07.15.
The four AVRs together secured the team prize for their efforts beating Okehampton RC on their home turf! There were 66 finishers in the event which is also a selection event for Devon at the Inter-Counties.
Totally Coastal
There was a 10k, half-marathon and a 50k ultra on offer at Winding Paths’ Total Coastal races held on Saturday.
In the 50k, which started in Kingswear with the finish in Shaldon, Patrick Rosello completed it in an amazing 6:35.33 placing him a brilliant ninth with more than 100 finishers. All the more fantastic given a staggering 6000 feet of elevation.
Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation ran the half-marathon which started in Preston Green, near Paignton then took runners along with the south-west coast path through to the same finish in Shaldon. Multi-terrain with 2778 feet of elevation and, with Bec using it as a comeback from injury and illness, it was very much a case of running together with grit, determination and the beautiful scenery getting them to the end.
Yeovil Half
Four AVRs tackled the Yeovil Half Marathon on Sunday. The town centre start and finish made for a great atmosphere with lots of support throughout the 13.1 miles. The new route even went past the front doors of Montecute House, although it was challenging with over 800ft of climb, with more than 1000 runners completing the race and taking home a lovely wooden medal for their efforts.
First AVR back was Duncan Staddon in an excellent sixth place in 1:17:53, first M40. Matt Hewer was sixth in the M40 category, 32nd overall in 1:25:13. Angela Kerr romped home in 2:10:19, fourth in the F60-69 category and 522nd overall just before Mandy Harris, 602nd, who finished in 2:16:42.
Feighan Fury – remembering Mike
This new race has been created by SWRR (South West Road Runners) in memory of a much-loved member of their club, Mike Feighan who sadly died in 2021. Five-time winner of the Grizzly, Mike was well-known in the Devon running community having also been behind the creation of the Exeter Riverside parkrun.
Sunday’s 10 mile multi-terrain trail race took place across the hills, fields and rivers of mid-Devon. Five AVRs joined the first edition of this race which had more than 200 finishers.
Incredibly Tim Lenton and Patrick Devine-Wright ran again fresh from their success the previous day at the Meldon event. First home for AVR was Tim Lenton, who had clearly recovered well, to take fourth overall and third M40 in 1:14.36. Patrick Devine-Wright was tenth overall and nabbed the first M50 prize in 1:19.53. A fantastic weekend’s work for these two!
Other AVRs were Cory Schultze (96th in 1:41.22), Jeremy Slade (114th in 1:47.26) and Darrell Farley (127th in 1:51.47).
Milestones for AVRs at Seaton parkrun
More than 200 completed Seaton parkrun on Saturday in windy conditions with Innes Fitzgerald, fresh from a string of cross-country victories, coming in as first finisher in 16:57, just the second time Seaton has had a female first finisher.
Liz Slade celebrated her 50th milestone running with a group of fellow AVRs while Angela Kerr reached her 100th volunteer milestone as Run Director on Saturday. Congratulations to both members of the Seaton parkrun core team. The core team, along with a fantastic group of volunteers, ensure the event can take place every Saturday. To help out please email: seaton@parkrun.com – there are plenty of different roles available every week.
On the parkrun tourism trail, Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Haldon Forest, Gill and Jon Day ran Teignmouth Promenade and Carol Austin enjoyed the sights and smells of Frogmary Green Farm! Ron Seaward travelled to Aberysthwyth and smashed out an 80.6% age grade for his 22:26. Nice one Ron! Also in Wales, Ellie Dominey was first female finisher at Haverford West in 20:56. All the AVRs at parkrun can be found here
Greece is the word!
Richard Jackson ran the Greek Tagetus Challenge on Sunday finishing in 71st. The race was some 37KM over a highly technical terrain with a challenging 2154m of altitude difference. Despite the tough conditions 180 completed the race which passed through the gorge of Viros which, apart from its natural beauty, stands out because of its historical importance as along it passed the ancient Royal Road that connected ancient Sparta with the port of Kardamyli.
Weymouth wanderings
It was an early start for the six AVRs who popped over the border to Dorset to take part in the Weymouth Half Marathon on Sunday with an 8am race start. The 13.1 mile course took the runners through the heart of Weymouth with stunning views of the Jurassic coastline on the mostly flat course.
Eleanor Wood, Ron Seward and Diana Burn came away with age category victory trophies for their excellent runs. Eleanor was first F65, 177th overall, in 1:41.00 while Ron won first M70 for his 1:45.07, 254th finisher. Diana was second F65 finishing in 2:13.08.
First AVR home and in a brilliant personal best was Tim Sibley in 1:32.28, 87th overall and fourth M50, setting him up nicely for his forthcoming Boston marathon.
Adele Girdwood finished in 1:52.55 with Cath Brenton coming home in 2:20.09 in her first ever half-marathon.
The eighth edition of the race took place in glorious spring sunshine although windy on the seafront with more than 1200 runners completing the course.
Sunny Seaton parkrun
It was back to the normal course for parkrun in Seaton on Saturday and the lovely sunny morning drew 207 parkrunners. Second female finisher was Ellie Dominey in 21:02 while third male was James Green in 18:07, who was also third on age grade with 76%.
In the excellent conditions, Ben Tucker celebrated his 50th parkrun with a PB of 20.38. Katharine Moran also nabbed a PB for her 26.49.
Further afield Rupert Pudy visited Exmouth finishing in a speedy 20:50 (73%) with Karen Eyre also enjoying the fast flat course finishing in 22:04 (76%). Meanwhile David and Susi Sadler enjoyed the muddy, hilly and very scenic Haldon Forest parkrun.
All the AVR parkrun results can be found here
Canter by the canal
Liz Slade got a late cancellation to enter this half-marathon which weaves its way along the picturesque Grand Western Canal towpath from Tiverton Basin to Sampford Peverell where runners turn and retrace their steps. Liz finished in 83rd place in 2:32.18 with 115 runners completing the 13.1m race.
Granite grind
Angela Kerr joined more than 100 others on the Granite Way cycle path in Exeter City Community Trust’s annual 20-mile race which is perfectly timed for Spring marathons. There are lovely views of Dartmoor to enjoy as you grind out the miles. Angela ran it as a training run for London marathon finishing in 101st, 3:37.31. A ten-mile option was also on offer.
Dragon slayed
Eleanor Wood enjoyed the Slay the Dragon trail 10k in Hinton St George, Somerset even with its multiple hills. She certainly slayed the dragon nabbing second female in a brilliant 49.46.
Storm leads to new route at Seaton parkrun
Huge thanks go to AVR’s Tony Smith, Sam Miller, Carolyn Nation, Lesley Adams, Jeremy Slade and Carol Austin who helped clear part of the Esplanade of an overnight deluge of pebbles to ensure parkrun could go ahead. West Walk remained closed so an amended route was used on Saturday morning. The route had three tight turns but fewer pebbles than usual and on a windy day it wasn’t a morning for a PB.
First finisher was Matt Hewer in 19:16. AVR also scooped first age-grade with Ron Seward’s 75.98% for his 23.48.
Saturday was parkrun’s annual celebration for International Women’s Day encouraging more women and girls to stay fit and healthy which, of course, parkrun is brilliant for – be it running, walking or, indeed, volunteering.
A few AVRs took the chance for some tourism including Dave Hutton and Sue Chambers nabbing their “Q” for the alphabet challenge at Queen Elizabeth parkrun; Tony Smith and Sam Miller enjoying the famous curly-wurly at Somerdale Pavilion parkrun; Ellie Dominey, who was first female finisher, Rupert Pady and Karen Eyre on the fast course of Exmouth parkrun; and Matt Frost, breaking his journey north, to run Wollaton Hall parkrun in Nottinghamshire.