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From village greens to the Matterhorn via the streets of London

During the last week, AVRs have shone high in the mountains, on the streets of London and Somerset and on the trails around Devon villages – all showing the huge variety and talent within the club.

Runshiners shine in Woodbury

Budleigh Salterton Lions Club organised a lovely scenic and undulating10k at Woodbury Common on Sunday when the wet and windy conditions surprised us runners after such a long hot and sunny period.  Thursday’s RunShiners group had targeted the event, which was actually just over 10k, and were joined by a few other AVR stalwarts.

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First woman and first AVR home in 16th overall was Eleanor Wood in an awesome 53.42.  Pete Hallet was 29thin 58.58.  John Hocking 1.03.53 and Cliff Marriott 1.04.10 finished one after the other followed by Lindsay and Simon Freathy, who ran together, crossing the line in 1.07.10.   Next up was Bob Carter in 1.13.58.  The holy trinity of Louise Rawlins, Sarah Whelan and Zoe Harp finished in 1.28.27 with one of them cartwheeling over the line.  David (Ronnie) Whelan was next AVR in 1.31.16  with Viv Blumfield and Aileen Heal crossing the line hand in hand in 1.34.24.    A total of 124 completed the event which was followed by tea and cake.

Brilliant Bridgewater PB performances

Six AVRs headed up the M5 to compete in the Bridgewater half marathon  and 10k in showers and blustery conditions. More than 300 completed the half marathon which started at the Morganians Rugby Club to the east of the town then headed out to Chedzoy before moving on to the Somerset Levels.  It is mostly flat with some undulations in the first half so is considered a fast course although the wind played its part! Terry Emmet was a magnificent fifth and second M40 in a PB of 1:15:36 with Richard Hardy hot on his heels in seventh in a huge four-minute PB of 1:16:51.

Kerry Board was 14th female and fourth F40 in a tremendous PB of 1:37:58.

Rob Collier came in 40th and fifth (from 42) M50s in 1:25:12 with Ian Kinnersley in 91st spot and an excellent third (from ten) in the M60 category in 1:37:24.

In the 10k, which is basically an out and back of the first 5k of the half marathon course, Kevin Feeney ran an excellent time of 52:50 to finish fourth M60 (from 13 runners) and 28th overall. More than 100 completed the shorter race.

Results: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/Bridgwater22/#1_582180

Big Half in the Big Smoke

The Big Half in London is a half marathon run on much of the London marathon route and a month before the 26 miler is the perfect warm-up.  After taking the victory last year, Jake Smith had to settle for third this year in 62:08 behind Sir Mo Farah and Jack Rowe.  Currently in a big training block ahead of the Valencia half-marathon in six-weeks time, Jake was happy with the tactical racing experience.

Village Fun

The Lustleigh 10k is part of the village’s bank holiday celebrations and this year Eleanor Wood and Henry Smith enjoyed the beautiful hilly route.  Eleanor came in first F55 and fifth woman in 52.09 with Henry in 62.04 pleased to be back racing again.

Ultimate Tour in the Alps

 High in the Italian and Swiss Alps with a backdrop of the Matterhorn, Patrick Devine-Wright took part in a four-day 170KM stage race.  With a 3200m ascent he certainly experienced a ‘runners high’, running/walking at altitude much of the time providing spectacular views, sheer drops and huge climbs. His final time of 27:57.03 was enough for a very impressive fifth place.

Seaton parkrun

At Saturday’s parkrun in Seaton Simon Dimmock was first AVR to finish in 19.44. Joel Seward , followed up last week’s PB by helping out with pacing along with a number of other AVRs.  Steven Lewis achieved a PB with his 25.51 time.  Congratulations to Jeremy Norcombe who ran his 150th parkrun and Louise Rawlins who achieved the 25-volunteer milestone.

Results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/results/latestresults/

AVR in World Masters Success!

Axe Valley runner, David Cooke had an outstanding week at the 24th edition of the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships held earlier this month in Tampere, Finland.   Conditions were very hot with many of the events at the start of the week taking place in excess of 30° C.  In his strongest event, the 400m, Cooke came sixth in the M65  final in a superb time of 61:55, his fastest time since 2008 and a new south-west regional record.  It also places him ninth on the UK all time M65 list.  Cooke, who also reached the 200m and 800m final, represented the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team in both 4 x100m and 4 x 400m relays with the team coming away with the Gold medal in both events.
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David Cooke (3rd from left) at the medal presentation for the M65, 4 x 100m relay where GB won Gold.

Role of Committee Chair

This can be shaped to suit the Chair’s skills and interests but as a minimum it should include –

  • identifying next steps for the development of the club and leading/promoting change where needed
  • chairing regular committee meetings and the AGM, agreeing agendas and draft minutes with club secretary
  • ensuring the club constitution is upheld and committee roles are covered
  • keeping in regular contact with club members, advising on developments, opportunities, difficulties etc etc
  • making decisions between committee meetings if needed
  • delegating tasks, motivating volunteers, answering questions (generally via email) from members, potential members, members of the public and other local groups
  • being the point of contact for England Athletics, ensuring club fees and individual fees are paid (in liaison with club treasurer), those members who wish are registered with EA, portal kept up to date, EA’s standards are considered annually, and club support is contacted if needed. Ensure club applies for and receives its London marathon place via EA.
  • ensuring club risk assessment is reviewed every autumn including safeguarding and welfare