This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Accept settingsSettingsWe may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Privacy Policy
AVR dominate Axmouth Challenge
Conditions were good for Sunday’s Axmouth Challenge with the freezing temperatures giving way to slightly milder weather with plenty of mud underfoot. There were nine-mile, five-mile and three-mile races on offer and a one-mile fun run all starting and finishing at the village hall. Mixed terrain, hilly and muddy meant it was great training for the Grizzly and Cub events. A huge turnout of AVRs supported the event with timers, back markers and helpers as well as many racing.
Chard Road Runner, Wayne Loveridge was the comfortable winner of the nine-mile race finishing in 56:00. Then followed a host of AVRs headed by Matt Clist, in second, also first M45, in 57:13 and Ritchie Durrant in third in 58:02. These were followed by Andrew Snook fourth and first M40 in 1:01.06; Max Richardson fifth in 1:02.43; Matt Hewer sixth and second M45 in 1:04.50 and Rob Collier seventh and first M55 in 1:0715.
Honiton RC dominated the women’s podium. Fourth female and first AVR female was Eleanor Wood, also first F65, in 1:20.01. Other AVR age group firsts were Ian Kinnersley, first M60, in 1:16.51; Jacqui Stokes first F40 in 1:24.20; and David King, first M70 in 1:26.39.
The five-mile race was won by AVR’s Simon Dimmock and Charlotte Bailey in 37:27 and 58:10 respectively.
Full results
Seaton parkrun and beyond
With so many events cancelled further north, it was with relief that Seaton parkrun took place with conditions very cold but not icy. AVR’s Joel Seward and Debbie Whiston were first finishers in 17:23 and 21.11 respectively with Debbie also third on age-grade with 76%. Mark Parsons got a shiny new PB of 22:42 and congratulations to Helen Boehm who reached her 100 milestone.
With the Axmouth Challenge the following day many AVRs took the opportunity to volunteer. Ron Seward, who was volunteering, also received his In Step Devon award for first M70 in 2024 from club chair Haydn Boehm and In Step Devon third female and first F65, Eleanor Wood.
James Ashforth travelled to the Eden Project to enjoy their parkrun and the centre. Tom Parsons took part in the Marine Parade parkrun in Weston Super Mare. There was a posse of AVRs at Frogmary Green with Aaron and Louise Rawlins, Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady taking part. Craig Tiley and Paul Johns visited the inaugural Greendale Farm Shop parkrun.
And finally …
Innes Fitzgerald continued her fantastic form indoors by breaking the British U20 3000m record with 8:48.30 in Cardiff.
AVRs celebrate at First Chance
Nine AVRs faced challenging wet and windy conditions on Exeter riverside on Sunday for the First Chance 10k, organised by the South West Road Runners. It is a flat course but with some tight turns crossing the River Exe a number of times.
Rich Hardy was an impressive eighth and first M40 finishing in 34:51, although felt it was one race too many after a busy few days including an excellent result at the Chard Flyer on New Year’s Day. Matt Frost was 24th in 37:15.
First M75 was Graham Newton in 48:50 with Eleanor Wood second F65 in 47:58; Carol Austin second F60 in 50:02; and Diane Newton second F75 in 1:20.41.
Full results
After the event, the In Step Devon awards for 2024 were presented with Eleanor Wood receiving third female overall and first F65 and Ron Seward picking up first M70 for the year long series of events across all disciplines, road, trail, short and longer distances throughout Devon. AVR also took third club in both male and female team awards. Full results for 2024
Yesterday’s event was the first in the 2025 calendar.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a windy parkrun on Saturday for the first event of 2025 with another 315 finishers including many tourists. First female was Debbie Whiston in 21:10 with Karen Eyre second female in 21:56 and also first on age-grade with 80.4%. Janet Cullum was third on age-grade with 76.8% for her 29:58. Simon Dimmock was third finisher in 18:47.
Congratulations and thanks to Andy West who celebrated reaching his 50 volunteer milestone.
Out on the road Patrick Devine-Wright took part in the University of Galway parkrun in Ireland while closer to home Louise and Aaron Rawlins completed St Mary’s parkrun.
AVRs off to a flyer
After a very successful 2024 AVR began 2025 with more success at the Chard Flyer, a 10k road race held on New Year’s Day and organised by Chard Road Runners. There was a big turnout from AVR despite the wet and very windy conditions, boosted by the opportunity for some early point scoring in the club championships. Run on a mix of park paths and country lanes the route takes runners from Chard into the South Somerset countryside including some challenging hills.
Second place overall and first M40 was Rich Hardy in 35:19 with Matt Clist just four seconds behind in 35:23. In fourth place was Joel Seward in 36:27.
Fifth female was AVR’s Karen Eyre in 45:12, also second F45, with Eleanor Wood a very impressive first F55 (despite being 65+) in 49:49.
Rob Collier was an excellent first M50 in 40:53.
Full results
Final Countdown
The Final Countdown, held on New Year’s Eve in Sidmouth and organised by Winding Paths, is a multi-terrain race of approx.10k which starts on the Esplanade in the town with runners tackling the very challenging Peak Hill then enjoying the views from the golf course and Mutters Moor before descending into Connaught Gardens to finish. Five AVRs took part with first AVR home in sixth place and second M40 Andrew Snook in 42:04.
Full results
Gutbuster
Cliff Marriott ran the undulating 10-mile Gutbuster in rural Berkshire on Sunday finishing in 1:44.36. Pam Goddard took part in the 10k version completing it in 1:10.53. Both describing the races as huge fun but very muddy.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
Christmas Day saw a record breaking 504 finishers at Seaton parkrun including a rare appearance from female course record holder, Innes Fitzgerald.
There was another bumper parkrun in Seaton on Saturday with 373 completing the 5k event. First home was AVR’s Rich Hardy in 16:52 with Debbie Whiston first female in 19:55. Eleanor Wood was first on age-grade with an incredible 92% for her 23:00. James Ashforth celebrated his 100th parkrun milestone by running in a weighted vest in preparation for his challenge later this year when he takes part in the London marathon dressed as a robin to raise funds and awareness for the baby loss charity, Tommys.
With extra parkrun events on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day there were a lot of AVRs out on the road including Tom Parsons who took part in the Coedweg Niwbwrch/Newborough Forest parkrun on Anglesey / Ynys Môn in a time of 22:57. It was a very scenic route through the woodland with views over a rough sea to the mountains of Eryri.
Meanwhile Matt Frost ran Five Arches parkrun on Saturday. Ending the year on a high he managed to come away with a parkrun PB in 17:38 to finish the year with PBs in parkrun, 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon – some effort that!
And finally …
In the club organised Bank Holiday 10k time trial, 49 members took part in excellent running conditions. With early club championships points available there were some super fast times.
Results