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Grizzly Recce Run
AVR held its annual Grizzly and Cub recce run on Sunday where runners can get a taste of what is to come. This event, for Axe Valley Runners members only, is possible due to the generosity of the farmers and landowners whose land is used for the Grizzly event. The official route should not be used any other time of the year for running. The practice run also allows those in the club who are organising the event or helping on the day to get the “Grizzly” experience!
Conditions were good and, although muddy underfoot, perhaps not as muddy as expected. That said there is still a month to go until the big day and the route is challenging and should not be under estimated.
Big thanks go to Andy West and Steve Haines, the Grizzly Race Directors for organising Sunday’s practice runs and to the Run Leaders who helped make it an enjoyable day.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
There was an AVR 1-2-3 at Seaton on Saturday with Joel Seward just pipping Rich Hardy to the first finisher spot in 17:16. Amazingly Joel had run from Axminster to Seaton as a ‘warm-up’ and then ran back to Axminster after parkrun. Congratulations also to Joel who last week received news of his Championship spot at the London Marathon in April so this training regime is clearly paying off. Third finisher on Saturday was Terry Emmett in 17:57.
AVR also dominated the age-grade podium with Eleanor Wood top with 89% for her 23:38; Rich Hardy second with 79% for his 17:17 and Ron Seward third on age-grade with 78% for 23:43.
There was a PB for Lily Sibley in 35:29. Thanks should go to East Devon District Council’s Street Scene team for clearing the West Walk of the deluge of pebbles after Storms Eowyn and Herminia as well as Seaton parkrun core team for clearing near the start and finish ramp. Without this the event would not have been safe to go ahead.
Out on the road Debbie Whiston took part in the ‘closed facility’ Happy Valley parkrun in Cyprus where she was first female in 19:43 while Rebecca Eastburn ran the Poppintree parkrun in Dublin. Tony Smith and Sam Miller enjoyed the picturesque Watermead Country Park in Leicestershire. Closer to home, Carol Austin ran the fast, flat Five Arches along the Dorset and Somerset Cycleway while Paul Johns took part in Minehead parkrun and Jon Day did Shepton Mallet parkrun. Kerry Board and daughter, Jess enjoyed Killerton parkrun’s mud and hills while Carolyn Nation completed Exeter Riverside parkrun.
Mud, mud, beastly mud
There was a good turnout of AVRs at the Blackdown Beast, a social self-navigated run around the scenic Blackdown Hills brilliantly organised by Honiton Running Club. The event on Saturday was also sandwiched perfectly between the two weekend storms, Storm Eowyn on Friday and Herminia on Sunday meaning the runners, who could choose from a ten or 16-mile route, enjoyed glorious sunshine although it was extremely muddy underfoot from many weeks of rain.
The timing of the run is perfect for Grizzly training. The multi-terrain run includes seldom used footpaths, country lanes and off-road sections around Upottery, Dunkeswell and Smeatharpe. Uniquely runners can enjoy a hot pasty and mulled cider after 8 miles in Smeatharpe Village Hall. For those on the 16-mile route there is a climb above the River Otter to the viewpoint at Luppitt giving a spectacular panorama of the surrounding countryside before the final descent and run across Luppitt Common to the finish at Dunkeswell Airfield.
Big thanks go to Honiton Running Club for another excellent day.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a glorious sunny Saturday in Seaton with 237 finishers enjoying the break between storms. AVR’s Simon Dimmock was second finisher in 18:18 with Graham Newton second on age-grade with 79.4% for his 24:17 which was also a shiny new PB. Third on age-grade with 79.2% was Ron Seward for his 23:31. Lee Brooker continued his run of form with another PB, 24:57. Congratulations to Paula Cooke who celebrated her 100 milestone.
Out on the road this week were Tony Smith and Sam Miller at the scenic Cycle Route 43 parkrun Ystalyfera in Wales; Anthony and Adrianne Mullins and David Cull at The Great Field parkrun; Paul Johns at Simmons parkrun in Okehampton; Aaron and Louise Rawlins and Jon Day enjoyed the mud at Greendale Farm Shop parkrun; and Kerry Board and Patrick Devine-Wright took part in Killerton parkrun.
Furthest afield was Debbie Whiston who ran the unique ESBA parkrun in Cyprus, an event only open to authorised personnel as it takes place in an army base.
Blister bounces back
The Budleigh Blister, having replaced the Bicton Blister in the East Devon running calendar, then became victim to Storm Darragh late last year. Exmouth Harriers managed to rearrange it to Sunday when conditions were perfect for the 10-mile mixed terrain route starting and finishing in Budleigh and featuring the stunning South West Coast Path out of Budleigh towards Otterton then following the River Otter back.
There was a good turnout of AVRs for the race which was won by Tom Merson in 59:42 with AVR’s Tim Lenton an excellent second, and first M50, in 1:03.47. There were age category prizes for Simon McClennan, first M55 and 16thoverall finishing in 1:12.39 and Eleanor Wood, first F65, in 53rd finishing in 1:23.19, a full 30 minutes ahead of the next F65! Both went home with a bottle of wine for their efforts. Jacqui Stokes was third F40 in 69th place in 1:27.19.
The 181 finishers were all rewarded with a memento from the well organised race.
Full results
Benfleet 15
Cliff Marriott was back in his home county of Essex for the Benfleet 15, a very hilly and muddy tough trail race. After finishing in 2:40.20 Cliff summed it up: “I hated every minute but will be back next year!”.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
Conditions were chilly but calm for Seaton parkrun on Saturday with 245 finishers. AVR dominated the age grade podium with Karen Eyre, first with 79.9% for her 22:04 and second female finisher; Debbie Whiston, who was first female in 20:27 and second on age-grade with 79%; and third, Ron Seward, 78% for his 23:39. Joel Seward was second finisher in 17:59.
Baz Chandra celebrated his 100 milestone, a fantastic achievement having only started running three years ago. There was an excellent PB for Lee Brooker in 25:33.
Paul Lloyd was in Cornwall so took in Heartlands parkrun near Redruth, a lovely three lap course around old mining works; Matt Frost celebrated his birthday with a first finisher spot at Clevedon Salthouse Fields in 17:49; Luke Freathy completed Holyrood parkrun in Edinburgh while Roberta and Mike Wadsworth and Darrell Farley visited the new Greendale Farm Shop parkrun.
And finally …
On Tuesday all AVR club runs will feature 70 in some way, be it 70 minutes, 7.0 miles or 7 hills, all to celebrate a plethora of 70th birthdays in the club. The Club is proud of its inclusivity and the fact that age is no barrier to running. The 70+ age categories are about to get even more competitive than they already are!