AVR women shine in Somerset
On Sunday 13 AVRs were among the 188 finishers at the Crewkerne 10k, an undulating but picturesque road race starting and finishing in the beautiful market town. Run on quiet country lanes runners pass through Hinton St George and Merriott before returning to the town to finish at the Town Hall. The race forms part of the Somerset Race Series and is organised by Crewkerne Running Club.
AVR women shone in the morning sun with Karen Eyre taking third place in 46:13; Eleanor Wood was fifth women and first female 65+ in 49:34, and Jaqui Stokes was 15th female and third F45 in 55:10. The three of them secured the female team prize for AVR.
Rupert Pady was 17th overall in 42:23 to take second M50; Ian Kinnersley was second M60 in 46:34 and David Cooke second M70 in 57:15.
Uphill canal
Carolyn Nation travelled to Stourbridge for the Nine Locks Challenge 10k, a race that takes place twice a year and encompasses the nine locks between Stourbridge and Merry Hill. Although picturesque it is a tough challenge with the route going from the bottom to the top of the nine locks. Carolyn finished in 1:11.39, 85th female, enjoying the views of the canal and the narrow-boats more than the uphill!
Racing in the Wray Valley
Three AVRs took part in the Winding Path organised Wray Valley races on Sunday in mid-Devon. There was a half marathon and 10k available with both using the Wray Valley Way, an old railway line connecting Bovey Tracey and Moretonhamstead.
Cath Brenton took part in the half marathon which started in Bovey heading through Lustleigh and onto Mortonhampstead before returning on the same route. She finished in 56th in 2:18.46, a shiny new PB. There were 87 finishes in the half marathon
In the 10k, which also attracted 87 finishers, the runners turn back at Lustleigh. AVR’s Cliff Marriott was 17th in 57:04 and Pam Goddard was 52nd in 1:10.50. Cliff described it as “a low-key challenging event with both routes measuring slightly over distance but very scenic and enjoyable”.
Defib Dash
On Tuesday evening the AVR club night focussed on health and safety with all groups taking part in a “defibrillator dash” to learn where the AEDs are located around Seaton, Colyton and Beer. It was a useful reminder where these potential life-savers are and how to activate them.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
There was a big turnout at Seaton on Saturday with more than 300 completing parkrun in glorious sunny conditions. First female was Debbie Whiston in 20:15, also third on age-grade with 80%. Ron Seward was second on age-grade in 80.5% for his 23:08 and there was a PB for Eddie Prior in 24:08.
Many congratulations to Sarah Shepley for reaching 300 volunteer credits. Thanks to all the AVRs who help at Seaton; as summer approaches and more people are away the team would welcome anyone who would like to volunteer so please think about supporting your local event; email seaton@parkrun.com to help.
Out on the road, Cliff Marriott and Pam Goddard enjoyed the scenic Parke parkrun before their race in mid-Devon; Jon and Gill Day took part in the beautiful Trellisick parkrun in Cornwall; Simon Dimmock ran the Hogmoor Inclosure parkrun in Surrey; Luke Freathy completed the Severn Bridge parkrun while Alan Sealey, Aaron and Louise Rawlins all secured an I for the alphabet challenge at Itchen Valley Country parkrun. Paul Johns enjoyed the original ‘curly-wurly’ at Somerdale Pavilion parkrun while Sam Miller and Tony Smith found a mini “curly-wurly” at the end of the Thames Path, Woolwich parkrun. Keith Agland took part in Frogmary Green parkrun; David Cull went to The Great Field and six AVRs checked out the upcoming relay route at Greendale Farm Shop parkrun.
