Canter by the canal
Liz Slade got a late cancellation to enter this half-marathon which weaves its way along the picturesque Grand Western Canal towpath from Tiverton Basin to Sampford Peverell where runners turn and retrace their steps. Liz finished in 83rd place in 2:32.18 with 115 runners completing the 13.1m race.
Granite grind
Angela Kerr joined more than 100 others on the Granite Way cycle path in Exeter City Community Trust’s annual 20-mile race which is perfectly timed for Spring marathons. There are lovely views of Dartmoor to enjoy as you grind out the miles. Angela ran it as a training run for London marathon finishing in 101st, 3:37.31. A ten-mile option was also on offer.
Dragon slayed
Eleanor Wood enjoyed the Slay the Dragon trail 10k in Hinton St George, Somerset even with its multiple hills. She certainly slayed the dragon nabbing second female in a brilliant 49.46.
Storm leads to new route at Seaton parkrun
Huge thanks go to AVR’s Tony Smith, Sam Miller, Carolyn Nation, Lesley Adams, Jeremy Slade and Carol Austin who helped clear part of the Esplanade of an overnight deluge of pebbles to ensure parkrun could go ahead. West Walk remained closed so an amended route was used on Saturday morning. The route had three tight turns but fewer pebbles than usual and on a windy day it wasn’t a morning for a PB.
First finisher was Matt Hewer in 19:16. AVR also scooped first age-grade with Ron Seward’s 75.98% for his 23.48.
Saturday was parkrun’s annual celebration for International Women’s Day encouraging more women and girls to stay fit and healthy which, of course, parkrun is brilliant for – be it running, walking or, indeed, volunteering.
A few AVRs took the chance for some tourism including Dave Hutton and Sue Chambers nabbing their “Q” for the alphabet challenge at Queen Elizabeth parkrun; Tony Smith and Sam Miller enjoying the famous curly-wurly at Somerdale Pavilion parkrun; Ellie Dominey, who was first female finisher, Rupert Pady and Karen Eyre on the fast course of Exmouth parkrun; and Matt Frost, breaking his journey north, to run Wollaton Hall parkrun in Nottinghamshire.
