Great West Run success for AVR

Twelve AVRs took part in the half marathon option at the Great West Run in Exeter on Sunday.  Conditions were very good with just a slight breeze and cooler temperatures for the 2000+ runners.  The race started in Exeter Arena before heading out via the university to the undulating country lanes towards the village of Stoke.  Runners then do a U-turn to retrace their steps into the city centre and finish the 13.1 miles in front of friends and family with a lap of the track in the Arena.

First AVR home was Matt Frost in 37th finishing in 1:24.01.  James Hawker had a tremendous run to finish in a PB of 1:45.37 in 636th.  Angela Kerr was an excellent second F60-69, despite being right at the top of the age bracket, to finish in 2:08.10.  Lindsey, Simon and Luke Freathy all took part with Lindsey taking the family honours finishing in 2:01.03 with Luke and Simon just behind in 2:07.16.  Baz Chandra and Matt Chenery were delighted to complete their first road half marathons in 2:11.21 and 2:02.49 respectively.  The other AVRs were Ian Clements, 2:02.59; Vicki Wraight, 2:03.42; Dan Clist, 2:07.11 and Tracey Stone in 2:19.46.  Full results.

Bank Holiday Time Trial

With club championships points on offer there was a big turnout at the AVR organised Bank Holiday Time Trial with eight opting for the 5k option and 48 completing the full 10k which started in Colyford and finished on the Esplanade via a run up to Axmouth.  First male home was Rich Hardy in 34:59 and first female, Debbie Whiston in 42:38. There were some impressive improvements with Ann-Louise Childe taking a huge 12 minutes off her Christmas time to finish in 57:41 and Richard Coffey made a seven-minute improvement with his 48:27.  Big thanks to the club members who timed, marshalled and back marked the event. Full results

Uplowman 10k

Three AVRs travelled to North Devon on bank holiday Monday in the hunt for InStep Devon championship points at the Uplowman 10k near Tiverton.  The race started and finished in Uplowman village hall with the route taking runners out on a one-lap loop around the village taking in fast, flat roads and undulating country lanes.  Karen Eyre was an excellent fifth woman and first F50 finishing in 44:26. Rupert Pady was 16th and first M55 in 41:31 with Simon McClellan in 29th in 43:40 despite feeling unwell during the event.

Egdon Easy 10k

Ron and Fiona Seward ran the fast and flat Egdon Easy 10k on Saturday evening in Weymouth.  The course loops Lodmore reservoir on an assortment of gravel and tarmac paths.  Overcast conditions kept the temperature down, but there was a challenging blustery wind for the 380 who completed the race.  Ron was 113th in 47:36, third M70 and Fiona 292ndin 1:00:38, second F70.

Town Tree Trail

This 10k on Wednesday evening was part of the Somerset series and, although flat, runners faced rough ground, tree roots, stumps and low branches on the off-road route around Martock.  Eleanor Wood and Ian Kinnersley took part: results to follow.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

It was unusually cloudy on Saturday for the 275 parkrunners at Seaton with much attention rightly on Joyce West who celebrated her 90th birthday with her 30th parkrun.  Debbie Whiston was second female in 20:19 and Carol Austin, celebrating her 100th Seaton parkrun, took third on age-grade with 80.4% for her 24:49.  Both were beaten on age-grade by Joyce; a true parkrun inspiration.

Out and about Adele Girdwood took part in Worsley Woods parkrun near Manchester, a beautiful woodland run despite being near the city.  Simon Dimmock completed Cranleigh parkrun in Surry while Jon Day and Paul Johns enjoyed Rogiet parkrun in Monmouthshire.

 

And finally …

Innes Fitgerald is taking part in the British Milers Club, Exeter event this (Tuesday) evening, paced by our very own Jake Smith.