Record breaker!
It has yet to be ratified but AVR’s James Ashforth, aka Rusty the robin, set a new world record for the fastest half marathon dressed as a bird in London on Sunday.
The London Landmarks Half Marathon was a warm-up race for the big Guinness World Record attempt at the London Marathon later this month. Unfortunately due to a medical incident Sunday’s race was 700m short of the 13.1 miles, half-marathon distance so James is awaiting confirmation that his 1:54.28 stands. Both races are part of a challenge to raise money for Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity which is very close to James’ heart. Read his story and donate here.
The race is run around Westminster and the city of London featuring landmarks such as the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge with nearly 20,000 finishers.
River Deep Mountains High
With many AVRs focussing on Spring road marathons there were fewer than usual taking part in JP’s Exe to the Axe, a challenging 22 mile race from the mouth of the Exe in Exmouth to the mouth of the Axe in Seaton. The route provides runners with many hills to climb and descend but also some stunning views of the Jurassic Coast as they meander along the South West Coast Path through Budleigh, Sidmouth, Weston, Branscombe and Beer before reaching the seafront in Seaton where, for the first time, runners had to finish on the pebble beach! It was a beautiful sunny day and as well as the 22-mile option, there were relay and 11-mile Exe to the Sid or Sid to the Axe races also on offer.
Ed Bower was first AVR home in tenth in 3:24.16 with Tim Lenton on his tail in 11th and first M50 in 3:24.31. Sue Hayes, running with son, Will, was first F50 in 4:08.21 with Eleanor Wood, first F60 in 4:13.15. The latter three were awarded with beautiful slate clocks for their age group wins.
In the relay option, Kevin Feeney and Ron Seward took the crown in the male category finishing in 4:37.06.
In the Sid to the Axe, definitely the harder of the two shorter options, Richard Coffey was fifth in 2:36.50 despite a slight detour costing him an extra mile.
A special mention to Jeremy Slade who decided to do a training run in the opposite direction but not content with the Axe to the Exe he then added the Exe to the Sid on as well, some 35 miles in total!
Powering it in Powderham
Four AVRs took part in the Power Run at Powderham Castle near Exeter on Saturday. There were five and 10-mile races available around the magnificent private estate of the historic castle. The multi-terrain route takes runners past the stunning Belvedere Tower, around the American Gardens, Deer Park and Old Plantation.
In the 10-mile race Cath Brenton finished 99th in 1:52.55 with Rachel Hiscock 108th in 1:58.45 while in the five-mile race Fiona Seward was 56th in 53:59 and first F70 with Shirley Salter 84thin 58:20. Both races, organised by City Runs, attracted 125 runners.
Ilminster 10k
This well organised race in South Somerset is in aid of the Ferne Animal Sanctuary. It is a scenic but undulating course with the backdrop of the Dillington Estate and finishing through the historic Ilminster Town Square.
Five AVRs took part with first home Gavin Smillie in 46th in 47:22; followed by Cliff Marriott in 139th in 58:25; James Childe in 152nd in 1:00.05 then Ann-Louise Childe in 1:01.44; and Jools Elsom in 199th in 1:07.02.
The 238 finishers all received excellent goody bags and even a bottle of local cider for their efforts.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
The sun shone as always on Saturday for Seaton parkrun with both first finishers coming from AVR. Rich Hardy set a new PB, and the second fastest ever Seaton parkrun from an AVR, with his blistering 16:27 which was also second on age-grade with 84%. Debbie Whiston, first female, finished in 20:23. Joel Seward was second finisher in 16:43. There were also PBs for Ann-Louise Childe in 27:26 and James Childe in 28:42.
Out and about Tom Parsons enjoyed Higginson parkrun in Marlow; Tony Smith and Sam Miller secured a U for a second alphabet at Upton Court parkrun near Windsor; Tim and Amie Sibley, closing in on their alphabet took part in Vogrie parkrun in Scotland; James Ashforth enjoyed a shake-out at Hackney Marshes parkrun before the London half marathon; Simon Dimmock ran Hogmoor Inclosure parkrun; Jon and Gill Day spun round the curly-wurly of Somerdale parkrun; while Sam Halls and friends enjoyed her birthday run at Greendale Farm Shop parkrun where the mud is currently dry!
And finally …
Following her excellent pacing at Seaton parkrun on Saturday, Innes Fitzgerald celebrated her birthday yesterday by smashing the European Junior 5k record to win the Bristol Track Club 5k
