Ferocious Fast Friday
The City Runs organised Fast Friday 10k lived up to its name despite the most challenging of weather with runners facing a wicked headwind for two miles on each lap and torrential rain throughout most of the second half of the race.
There were excellent performances from the seven AVRs who competed in the Good Friday event on Exeter riverside.
In fourth place in a magnificent PB was Joel Seward in 33:36 who also scooped the M35 winner’s prize. Max Richardson stormed home in 21st in a massive PB of 35:21 with Matt Hewer in 31st in 36:57 and third M35. Both Tony Smith and Carol Austin won their age categories with 41:28, first M55, and 48:06, first F60 respectively. Angela Kerr was second F65 in 55:26 and Georgie Ryan secured a PB with her 58:45. Full results
Boston Baby
Rich Hardy and Matt Frost completed the Bank of America Boston Marathon on the 129thrunning of the famous 26.2m event held on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday of April. The race is the only marathon major that requires qualification so the standard is always remarkably high.
Just a week after setting a brilliant PB (2:36.02) at Newport marathon, Rich Hardy ran another superb time finishing in 2:41.26, 890th and 95th M40. Matt Frost finished in an excellent 2:51.43, 2440th place. More than 30,000 completed the marathon with John Korir of Kenya taking the win, despite a fall near the start, in 2:04.45 with Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, taking the women’s crown in a course record of 2:17.22.
Bank Holiday bonanza
With club challenge points up for grabs and conditions perfect on Easter Monday some 66 runners took part in AVR’s Bank Holiday 10k time trial. There were (unofficial) PBs galore, camaraderie and some completing their first ever 10k as well as some fast times securing the Club Challenge points. Full results.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
For once the sun wasn’t playing on Saturday morning but the wet and windy weather did not stop 381 parkrunners starting the weekend off with a 5k run. Second finisher was Andrew Snook in 18:29 and Eleanor Wood was second on age-grade with 90.1% for her 23:41.
Big thanks and congratulations to Ron Seward who celebrated his 100-volunteer milestone on Saturday.
In the States, Matt Frost secured a J at Jamaica Pond parkrun in Boston prior to the marathon. In Europe Debbie Whiston was second woman in Oberwald parkrun in Germany in 20:42. Closer to home, Sam Halls and Rob Collier ran Cardiff parkrun; Helen Boehm took part in Upton House parkrun in Poole; Rupert Pady completed Tilgate parkrun while Lee Brooker enjoyed Simmons parkrun.
And finally …
Best of luck to all those running the London and Manchester marathons next weekend. Enjoy the experience!
