Marvellous Martock
In hot, sunny conditions on Sunday AVRs were out in force in Somerset for the Martock 10k. It is a one-lap fast, flat road race in and around the town using quiet country lanes.
Finishing a superb third overall and first M40 was Rich Hardy in 34:25.4. Matt Frost was sixth in an impressive PB of 36:26. There were also age category victories for Eleanor Wood taking first F60 in 47:56 and Ron Seward, first M70 in 47:46. Fiona Seward was third F70 in 1:02.12. A total of 630 runners completed the race.
Yeovilton summer series
The June event saw the halfway point of the Yeovilton Summer Series, 5k races with another good representation from AVR. The fast, flat 5k starts and finishes at RNAS Yeovilton on the second Wednesday evening of the month from April through to September.
The race was won by Exeter Harriers, Simon Fox in a brilliant 15:16. Joel Seward was first AVR in sixth place in 16:22. In an exciting battle Rich Hardy and Matt Clist were almost in a dead heat taking 10th place, second M40 in 16:36 and 11th place, third M40 in 16:37 respectively. Karen Eyre was a brilliant 15th female and first F45 in 21:08. Max Richardson ran another great race to finish with a PB of 16:52. Rob Collier was 40th and third M50 in 18:10 with Eleanor Wood second F65 in 22:47 and Ron Seward, second M70 in 22:52.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a quiet day for AVRs despite 273 finishers at Seaton parkrun with Debbie Whiston first female and second on age grade in 20.11, 80.2%.
Further afield, Carol Austin, Lesley Adams, Tony Smith and Sam Miller all completed the beautiful Haga parkrun in Stockholm; Steve Saunders ran Avery Hill parkrun in Greenwich; Jason Potter took part in Bath Skyline and Jon Day and Paul Johns visited Southwick Country Park parkrun in Somerset. Diane and Graham Newton enjoyed the huge Clapham Common parkrun with more than 1000 finishers with both finishing first in their age categories, F75 and M75. Tom Parsons took part in Bolberry Down parkrun, an amazing clifftop route with views along the South Devon coast. Jennie Guard and Carolyn Nation ran Exmouth parkrun, now back on their normal course; Louise Rawlins scooped her U at Upton House parkrun and Matt Hewer and canine companion, Flynn, ran Cranbrook Country parkrun.
And finally …
In Stockholm, Innes Fitzgerald made a huge impression at her debut Diamond League meeting taking third place in the 3000m in 8:32.90, a huge PB. The race featured Olympians, world and European finalists and was won in 8:30.01 by Australian, Linden Hall.
On Saturday evening Jake Smith finished fifth Briton at the UK 10,000m championships in Birmingham. In a tough race that saw a lot of runners drop out, Jake finished in 29:13.
