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Several AVRs made the short journey into Dorset yesterday for the Bridport half-Marathon and 10K, organised by Beyond Events.  It was a gorgeous, sunny, cool morning so perfect racing conditions for the picturesque, mostly road courses.

 

In the half-marathon Laura Kerr had a terrific run finishing as third female from a field of 54 nabbing a big personal best of 1.53.07. Given the undulating course she was delighted with her time.

Adele Girdwood was 21^st in 2:01.09 with Angela Kerr, who was using it as a training run for other events, next AVR in 2:07.23 (29^th).

Kathryn Thomson finished in 2:41(51^st) in only her second ever half-marathon as she continues her excellent progress towards the London Marathon in October.

In the 10k event which also had one hill to negotiate, Sarah Whelan was first AVR home in 31^st in 1:03.51 with Tracey Stone finishing it in 1:11.18 (46^th) and in her first ever 10k, Caroline Wiseman came in 60^th in 1:13.57.

Further afield, Tony Smith and Sam Miller ran the Cardiff Half Marathon.  The top-class field – although this time without their son, Jake – included Welsh athlete, Natasha Cockram who won the women’s race in 1:10.47; a time that should see her secure a Commonwealth Games slot for Wales.  The mass participation race, that had been postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, attracted more than 11,000 runners.  Tony finished in an excellent 1:41:45, with Sam completing it in 2:11.49.

Jason Hyde, who is doing three half-marathons in three weeks, also completed Cardiff in 2:41.25 having run the Hampton Palace half last Sunday.  He moves on to the London Landmarks next week where he will be joined by a few other AVRs.

At Saturday’s Seaton parkrun, in cool, sunny conditions,  Matt Frost was second finisher, also nabbing a personal best of 18:37.  On age-grade Eleanor Wood was, again, top in an incredible 91.01%.

Meanwhile at Teignmouth Promenade parkrun, Ellie Dominey was first female finisher in 21:27.

Last Sunday Angela and Martin Kerr completed the 20-mile version of the Granite Way as ideal training for their upcoming Brighton marathon.  It was a sunny but very windy day up on the Dartmoor cycle way.  Martin was first M70 in 4:13.12 with Angela first F65 in 3:18.22.

Diane Newton ran the Bideford Half Marathon recently, lining up with nearly 800 runners on what turned out to be a very cold and windy day.  The race starts with a loop around Bideford before taking an undulating route out to Greater Torrington; then it’s on to the Tarka Trail alongside the River Torridge and back home.  It’s a lovely, well-organised race with a great atmosphere and Diane was very pleased to finish in 2:37:29, and fourth F70.

Pic:  Laura Kerr with her prizes for third female at Bridport Half