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AVRs take on heat, distance and pebbles!

It was fantastic to be back – that was the overwhelming message after parkrun returned across England on Saturday after 16 months without the weekly 5k event due to the pandemic. Seaton parkrun came back with a slightly amended route to allow for better social distancing before and after the event but still has its infamous pebble finish. A total of 218 people ran, jogged and walked the course including some 22 AVRs. The heatwave had come to an abrupt end with a thunderstorm during the night but by morning the conditions were actually very good for those taking part. First AVR home was Jon Day in 21:01 with Emilie Padmore first female just behind in 21:14 and, also, highest AVR on age-grade at 71%. Well done to Louise Rawlins on her PB of 25:23.
The 175th Seaton parkrun was made possible by 39 volunteers including many AVRs as well as a lot of hard work over recent weeks to prepare for the return. Event directors, Carol Austin and Tony Smith were delighted to have parkrun back and especially pleased to welcome 62 first timers to Saturday’s event.

Four members of Axe Valley Runners braved the extreme heat last Tuesday with the temperature still at 27ºC when the race commenced at 7.30pm. First AVR home was Terry Emmett in an incredible time of 16:56, 7th overall and 1st M40. Next back was Duncan Staddon 11th in 17:24 (both runners recently came joint 1st in the Ham to Lyme 50km). Next was Joel Seward 14th in 17:48. The final AVR back was Ron Seward 68th and 1st M70 with an impressive time of 23:21. The third edition of the Summer Series takes place on Tuesday 17th August from 7.30pm.

Julia Conway and Ron Seward ran the 2nd nights Exeter City run 10K with Julia completing in 48:58 and Ron 48:20 1st MV70.

Gill and Jon Day finally raced the Torbay Summer Sprint Triathlon after covid postponement. It was a 400m Swim (16x Lengths), 10 laps around the Torbay Velo Park, 9.3 miles and finish with a 5k Run, which appeared short at 2.9 miles. Gill had a great race with a Swim time of 12.37mins, Bike 31 mins and Run 30.40 mins. Including transition her final finish time was 1:18:05. Jon had a Good Swim with a new PB of 8.58 mins, on the bike Jon did a “Big Dave” with one extra lap so 10.2miles in 28.07 mins, Run 20.33mins. Overall time of 1:02:14. This was another fantastic traffic free, well organised event by Sportiva Events.
If anyone is interested in taking part in a Multi-Sport Event, then check out their website: https://sportivaevents.co.uk/

Exeter Quay 10k

On a warm and windy Wednesday evening, 11 AVR’s took on the pancake flat out and back route along Exeter Quay in which 107 runners took part in. First AVR home was young Jack Broom who ran an incredibly fast time of 35:18 a new PB finishing 11th and even beating the Ex-Olympian Jo Pavey. Next AVR home was Joel Seward who also ran a new PB, 15th in 35:59. Rob Collier who was ‘fresh’ from completing the Ham to Lyme ultra, ran a new PB of 37:45 finishing 2nd MV50. First AVR Lady back was Eleanor Wood who ran an exceptional time of 46.19 which also meant that she finished 2nd her age category with an Age Adjusted Grade of 90%. Next was Kerry Board in 46:46 also finishing second in her age category with Karen Eyre only 1 second behind who again finished second in her age category. Other results: Matt Hewer 39:32 (3rd MV40), Tim Sibley 49th 42:28; Tony Smith 58th, 46:03; Caitlin Smith 51:54 (1st FU20) and Samantha Miller 96th, 57:35.

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A Weekend of Running Activity Near and Far

Usually, the runners competing in the annual Otter Rail and River Run have nothing more to worry about than whether they’re wearing enough sun cream. However, after all the unseasonal rain, things were a little different this year as there was mud, mud and more mud to contend with. Despite these 216 runners braved the weather for the start of the 10K at Tipton St John Playing Fields. It’s a beautiful scenic route taking in a stretch along the banks of the River Otter and then through woods and fields, along the old railway line and the final challenge of running through a field full of cows. There were fine performances from all the AVR’s who took part. Graham Newton was first AVR home in 50:07, 1st MV70 and 36th overall. First AVR lady was Caroline French in 51:54, 43rd overall and 2nd WV35, then came Cliff Marriot 52:00 44th, Ron Seward 52:37 46th and 2nd MV70, Margaret Pearce 54:47 57th and 2nd WV45, Mark Day 60:15 81st, Louise Rawlings 60:37 87th, Shaun Vinnicombe 66:11 122nd, Charlotte Horlock 69:46 143rd, Denise Burges 72:04 159th, Rachel Hiscock 72:31 164th, Maxine Sweetman 79:25 187th and Shirley Salter 81:15 193rd.  Well done to all of them for managing to stay upright and not succumbing to the mud.

Jon and Gill Day competed in the Killerton Duathlon which comprised of a 5k Run followed by a 19K Bike then a 1.5K Run to finish. The first 5K Run route was around the Killerton park run route, which after all the sudden rain was really muddy with a few lake size puddles to run through. Jon’s times were: 20:58 for first run, 36:49 for bike and 12:50 for last run. Gill’s times were 32:26 for first run, 47:04 for Bike and 8:32 for the last Run.

Due to the Pandemic the December 2020 Christmas Celtic Trail Half Marathon was postponed to Saturday July 10th 2021. This meant Richard Hale running the second of two pre entered trail races in 6 days. The Coed Morgannwg Way follows ancient tracks of Celtic origin mostly stony, wet and muddy, through vast mountain woodlands, and exposed boggy moor. It’s a West to East linear route starting in Resolven in the Neath Valley of S.Wales. Beginning with over 2000 ft of steep ascent it finally descends to the Dare Country Park in Cwmdare in the neighbouring Cynon Valley 13 long miles later. There were only 13 finishers with Richard 8th in 2:45:05.

David Cook won the July AVR 4K handicap race in 19:16, followed by Paula Cooke, 25:32; Keith Agland, 19:40; Sarah Whelan 25:08 and Andrew Hartnell, 19:08. All of the top five broke their P.B. for the run. Pam Goddard leads the rankings with 109 points with Sarah Whelan 2nd, 105; Eleanor Wood 3rd, 99; Jon Day 4th, 91 and Paula Cooke 5th, 89.