Fun in the sun at Forde Abbey
It was a blisteringly hot and humid evening for the Forde Abbey 10k, brilliantly organised by Chard Road Runners and taking place in the picturesque grounds of the historic country house. With river crossings, rutted, harvested fields and a couple of ascents, it is a challenging but very scenic route.
There was another great turnout for AVR who secured both male and female team prizes as well as first and third male and third female so a good night’s work for the club. First place went to Rich Hardy who finished in 40:41, also first M40 with Joel Seward taking third position in 42:23. Karen Eyre was third woman in 51:51 which also placed her second F45. Eleanor Wood was first F65 in 56:04 so scooping the female team prize between them. The men won first team prize for Rich and Joel’s performance and, also, nailed third men’s team with Rob Collier who finished in 44:36, second M50 and Rupert Pady who finished in 49:47. There was also an age group category win for Graham Newton, first M70 in 58:51. There were 240 finishers.
Heron Half Marathon
This fast and flat half-marathon starts and finishes with a 5k loop at the RNAS Yeovilton base with runners going out into the country lanes surrounding the site in between. Five AVRs travelled over to Somerset to take part in the event which was won in super fast times by by Shaun Dixon in 1:12.23 and Charlotte Taylor in 1:15.31.
First AVR home was Jason Potter in 57th place in 1:39.23 followed by John Hocking in 1:53.22 in 115th. Adele Girdwood was an excellent second F55 in 1:57.13 with Angela Kerr, fourth F55 in 2:04.49. Jo Orsman finished in 2:14.29, 194th with 258 completing the 13.1 mile race.
The Loop
Cathy Brenton took part in The Loop on Sunday, a 20-mile circular route along the South West Coast Path and inland countryside trails from Broadsands beach in Paignton to Kingswear. The coastal path in that section is very beautiful but with a lot of steep hills providing a particularly challenging first eight miles. After that runners head through Brixham and back eventually retunring to the coastal path and beaches for more hills before finishing on Broadsands beach.
Coming in in 6:20:34 109th out of 177, Cath said “I was looking forward to the stunning scenery as I went along, and it didn’t disappoint! I went in the sea at about mile 12, much needed as so humid today!” The race was very well organised by Winding Paths.
The Hourglass – last man standing!
This unusual event is based on a two-mile lap which runners have to complete in descending time limits starting with 30 minutes then 29, 28 and so on with the last runner still going declared the winner! Pat Kinsella travelled over to the Cornwall County Showground near Wadebridge to take part and review the event for Runners World. Each lap starts after the time allowed for the previous lap so everyone starts each lap at the same time.
Pat describes it as “a fascinating concept and definitely worth a go – maybe an AVR outing next year! One of the best things about it is you get the opportunity to see the faster runners finish after you have been eliminated.” Pat completd a very creditable 12 laps to finish 18th of 60 who took part in the event organised by Mad Hatter Sports Events. Look out for Pat’s review in a future edition of Runners World.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a misty morning but warm and muggy for the runners at Seaton parkrun where Ritchie Durrant was second to cross the finish line! Debbie Whiston was first woman in 20.08. AVR’s Eleanor Wood and Ron Seward were one and two on age-grade with 90.8% for 23:43 and 81.1% for 22:57 respectively. There were PBs for Eddie Prior in 24:07 and James Childe in 27:33.
Congratulations to Shirley Goy who celebrated her 100th milestone and Clare Winter who celebrated her 50th volunteer milestone. And a big shout-out to Kevin Feeney for running his 400th parkrun.
Once again there were also AVRs at many parkrun events across the country including Jon and Gill Day grabbing a Y at Y Promenâd parkrun, Aberhonddu; James Ashforth celebrating his birthday at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun and Tom Parsons at Bethlem Royal Hospital parkrun in London.
A full list can be found here
