Grizzly 2022

 

Paws for Thought!

 

The sun shone, 1800 runners battled the hills, mud, river, bogs and pebbles, and Seaton was buzzing with the throngs of visitors enjoying the spectacular start and finish of the 34th running of the famous Grizzly.

 

With no race due to the pandemic last year, the worry of the impending effect of Covid-19 in 2020, high winds in 2019 and the ‘beast from the East’ in 2018, it was high time for some perfect weather conditions, and this is precisely what the weather gods granted on Sunday.

 

Five-time Olympian and European champion, Jo Pavey got the races underway after a moment’s applause to ‘paws for thought’ and remember all those who had lost their lives since the last Grizzly was held in 2020 and, in particular five-times winner of the Grizzly between 1996 and 2003, South West Road Runner, Mike Feighan who passed away following an accident last year.

 

The Grizzly, organised every year by volunteers from Axe Valley Runners,  began to the deafening sound of hundreds of runners on the pebble beach before they returned along the Esplanade past the cheering crowds.  The runners went off up Castle Hill to the sounds of the drummers and into the picturesque village of Beer.  Then it was up Beer Head and out towards Branscombe where the race divided with the Cub runners returning after negotiating the river at Branscombe Mouth.  The hardy full Grizzlers then headed up into the woods behind the village to tackle the most challenging parts of the course before the long pebble beach of Branscombe was the welcome sign of the return journey to Seaton.  All the way along the course, the runners were cheered on by hundreds of spectators and kept safe by the wonderful marshals from local community groups.

 

This year’s Cub run was won by Tom Perry of Exeter Harriers in 1:00.49  with Catie O’Donoghue from Bristol and West, first female in 1:11.19.

Second female was AVR’s, Ellie Dominey, in 1:14.48, who also received a prize for first AVR female home with Richard Hardy, 3rd  overall in 1:09.33 and first male AVR.

 

First male in the Grizzly was David Green from Rugby & Northampton AC in an impressive 2:18.30 with first female, Molly Browne from Birmingham Running Athletics Triathlon (BRAT) who completed the 20m course in a brilliant 2:42.36.  First AVR male was Matt Clist, 10th overall in 2:30.03 with Molly Adkin first AVR female, 3:07.34 in 9th female position overall.   Prizes were presented by Jo Pavey and John Barrington-Rouse, AVR President with each receiving a beautifully handcrafted plate made by local potter, Gilly Humphreys.

 

Over the years, the Grizzly has raised thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities and good causes with donations of more than £457k.  Huge thanks go to our sponsors East Devon Sports Therapy Centre who again provided post-race massage raising more than £250 for charity and Lyme Bay Winery who generously donated a miniature rum to all finishers.   Special Grizzly beer to help the runners for the last kick to home was offered on Beer Head by David Sadler.  Finally, a huge thank you to the landowners who allow hundreds of runners to traipse across their land, once a year, and to all the support groups whose services behind the scenes are vital to any event of this size going ahead.

 

Before Sunday’s main event, local junior runners took part in a number of races during Grizfest with 350 children from 4 to 15 running along Seaton’s Esplanade.  And on Saturday evening the famous Grizzly quiz returned to the Gateway with a full house.

 

Full results are at;  www.axevalleyrunners.org.uk/grizzly

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Joel and Luke Take the 10k Top Spots!

Joel Seward and Luke Reed took part in the Exeter City 10km race which is hosted by MCC Promotions running along the pancake flat quay. Conditions were tough going out towards Countess Wear with a moderate headwind however this was quickly forgotten about with the tailwind to finish. Joel was first finisher in 35:33 and Luke was 10 seconds back finishing 2nd overall and a new PB of 35:42.

Five AVR’s headed to Wokingham for a half marathon in what was billed as one of the quickest courses in the country, although the incline into a headwind just after mile 10 slowed most runners down! Starting in Wokingham the course heads mainly out in the traffic free country roads before heading back to the town. First AVR back was Duncan Staddon in a very impressive PB of 1:14:47. Next was Terry Emmett in 1:18:25 followed by Rob Collier in a PB of 1:20:42. Cliff Marriott finished in 1:55:20, although he should have been quicker had it not been for all the autograph signing following his Page 3 appearance in Runners World. Angela Kerr was happy to get under the 2 hour mark completing in 1:59:43.

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Press Report week ending 28th November 2021

AVRs impress in Bicton sunshine

 

Axe Valley Runners were out in force at the Bicton Blister and Bicton Lite on Sunday which took place in bitterly cold but sunny and calm conditions around the glorious pebbled heaths of Bicton and Woodbury common.  Following Storm Arwen runners had to negotiate a fallen telegraph pole and a couple of  trees across the route but it was largely dry underfoot.  The event, organised brilliantly by Exmouth Harriers, had fallen to the pandemic last year so it was great to be back. This year the male and female winners received a huge box of locally grown vegetables and all finishers received a snood.

 

First female AVR and ninth woman to finish the 10m Blister was Eleanor Wood, also first F60, in a very impressive 1:26.32.  First AVR home  was Duncan Staddon in fifth place and second M40 in 1:06.14.    There was an AVR battle for the top M50 spot with Patrick Devine-Wright in 1:11.12 just pipping Rob Collier who was 22nd overall in 1:11.39. Graham Newton took the M70 crown finishing 96th in 1:27.01 while Karen Eyre was first F50 and 14th woman in 1:27.56.

 

In the Bicton Lite, a 5m run starting and finishing on the same route as the Blister, a special mention must go to Paula Cooke and Sarah Whelan running their first ever race and comfortably breaking the hour finishing in 54:07 and 54:39 respectively.  Cliff Marriott was first AVR home in tenth place and second M55 in 42:35. Storming back after a few weeks of recuperation and first M70 was Ron Seward, 15th in 43:35.

 

Full results:

 

Blister 10m

 

Duncan Staddon  5th 1:06.14 (2nd M40)

Terry Emmett  8th 1:07.28

Richard Hardy 10th 1:08.01

Tim Lenton 11th 1:08.11  (2nd M45)

Joel Seward 14th 1:09.03

Ben Stone  15th 1:09.25

Lee Moran 17th 1:10.09

Patrick Devine-Wright  19th 1:11.12  (1st M50)

Rik Tumber 22nd 1:11.38

Rob Collier  21st 1:11.39 (2nd M50)

Matt Hewer 31st 1:14.12

Rupert Pady 34th 1:15.31

Chris Polley 75th 1:24.36

Haydn Boehm 79th 1:24.51

Eleanor Wood 89th 1:26.32 (1st F60)

Graham Newton 96th 1:27.01 (1st M70)

James Ashforth 100th 1:27.34

Jason Potter 101st 1:27.45

Karen Eyre 103rd 1:27.56 (1st F50)

Wayne Tooze 112th 1:28.32

Kerry Board 122nd 1:30.01 (3rd F45)

Andy West 126th 1:30.20

Martin Sawer 164th 1:33.43

Lee Stubbs 166th 1:34.11

James Hawker 190th 1:37.01

Jeremy Slade 208th 1:38.40

Kevin Feeney 250th 1:44.03

Jeremy Norcombe 260th 1:44.35

Heather Simmons 263rd 1:46.08

Suzi Blackett 267th 1:46.33

Katharine Moran 270th 1:47.47

Mark Day 284th 1:49.54

Gill Day 313th  1:54.26

Vicki Wraight 329th 1:57.22

Angela Kerr 330th 1:57.22 (2nd F65)

Geoff Rugg 332nd 1:57.18

Charlotte Horlock 333rd 1:57.50

Dave Mutter 335th 1:58.43

Helen Holmes 337th 1:58.50

Julia Mallon 336th 1:58.51

Amie Sibley 347th 2:00.39

Tim Sibley 348th 2:00.39

Janette Mack 349th 2:00.43

Shaun Vinnicombe 366th 2:00.42

Martin Kerr 377th 2:11.41

Diane Newton 382nd 2:17.27

 

 

 

Bicton Lite – 5m

 

Cliff Marriott 10th 42:35  (2nd M55)

Ron Seward 15th 43:35  (1st M70)

Louise Rawlins 37th 49:38 (2nd F45)

Paula Cooke 49th 54:07

Sarah Whelan 50th 54.13

Lesley Adams 64th 56:39 (3rd F65)

Carol Austin 65th 56:39

Kathryn Thompson 73rd 58:32 (3rd F35)

Aileen Heal 78th 1:00.56

Shirley Salter 79th 1:00.56

Dave Whelan 80th 1:00.59

Sam Summers 84th 1:04.37

Maxine Sweetman 85th 1:04.37

 

 

 

 

Seaton parkrun survives Arwen

 

On Saturday and despite the full fire of Storm Arwen Seaton parkrun was able to go ahead with the support of Honiton Running Club who took on the majority of the volunteer roles on a special takeover day.  Run Director, Howard Bidmead and core team member, Jeremy Slade did an early morning route inspection to give the event the go-ahead while many local parkrun events had to be cancelled.  Numbers were down with just 105 finishers.  First AVR home was Simon Dimmock in 20.15 with performance of the day, Mark Spraggs just a second outside his PB finishing in 23:20 despite the challenging wind.

 

 

AVR supports Children in Need

 

Axe Valley Runners has raised more than £300 for Children in Need in a novel way. AVRs Tim and Amie Sibley led their fellow AVR members in two runs – the Coly Dog and the Coly Pup which, once committed to Strava, drew the outline of a seated dog or puppy. The runs followed roads and paths around Colyton and Colyford. Members showed their appreciation by donating to Children in Need and Tim was able to bank £313.10 in aid of the charity. It is hoped to  become a regular event.

 

 

 

Grizzly conditions for Welsh fell race

 

Richard Hale started his preparation for Grizzly 2022 with a 7.4 km race in the Blorenge mountains near Abergavenny.   The wintry, windy and snowy conditions made it very tough going on a course that included part of the Brecon Canal followed by the north steep side of the mountain to the 559m trig point.

Despite a fall, Richard finished 59th in 1:00:7, second MV70.

 

 

 

AVRs excel at Seaton parkrun’s 5th Birthday

On Saturday first to finish and more than a minute ahead of anyone else was Innes Fitzgerald in a staggering 17.39 just outside the female course record that she set herself last month.  She was also top on age grade with her 87.82%.  First AVR home was Joel Seward in 19:17.  Carol Austin the co-event director for Seaton celebrated the fifth anniversary by finishing fifth female and second on age grade with 78.28%.  Paul Lloyd completed his 100th parkrun and Sam Miller her 50th so we look forward to seeing some new milestone Tees soon.  These popular T-shirts are now also available for volunteering – 25, 50, 100 and 250 times. There were five AVRs who ran personal bests yesterday:  Claire Warner 26.42 who was also third on age grade in 77.09%; Ben Mullane in 27.47; Mandy Harris in 27.57; Pam Goddard in 31.40 and Kathryn Thompson in 35.31.

Club Grizzly

On Sunday AVR tested out next years Grizzly course by organising six different club member only runs around the proposed route varying from the full Grizzly and Cub Run courses to sections varying from 10 to 14 miles. Despite the rain everyone had a great time and look forward to the main event on Sunday 6th March 22, subtitled “Paws for Thought” which is now full so no more entries are being accepted. The club had negotiated with landowners to be able to run over their private land for that day only, so anyone practicing for the Cub or Grizzly must stick to footpaths. Thanks to Steve Haines and Andy West for organising the fantastic mornings run.

Chard’s Wayne Loveridge was first finisher at the latest Seaton parkrun in 17:10 with Owen Pitcher of Dorchester AC 2nd in 17:16 and AVR’s Joel Seward 3rd, 17:51. New PBs were achieved by AVRs Simon Freathy and Maxine Sweetman.

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Very Busy Weekends for AVR

Graham and Diane Newton both qualified for the England v Celtic 2020 Masters Half Marathon team.  Unfortunately, like so many things last year due to covid, it was postponed.  But finally last weekend the event took place at the Richmond Runfest.  For Diane it was the first time she had donned her prized England kit, although Graham has previously represented England in both the Half Marathon and Marathon distance. The race started at Kew, wending its way around the famous gardens before heading out along the Thames footpath and ending in Richmond Deer Park. Going out with the elite at the head over 2,000 runners on what turned out to be a very hot and sunny day, Graham finished as 3rd MV70 in1:41:05 and Diane finished 5th FV70 in 2:35:26.
Graham also ran the Sundowner 5k event the night before the half marathon, and finished in 21st place overall and first MV70 in an amazing 21.55.

Tim Lenton and Patrick Devine-Wright took part in the annual Black Mountains fell race on Saturday. The race is quite a challenge, involving seventeen miles of tough mountain running with over 5,000ft of ascent. In hot conditions, Tim had a great run, coming in 3rd and first MV40. Patrick finished 13th and first MV50.

David Cooke ran 63.28s for 400m at the Yeovil Games on Sep 18th which is a new SW Vets AC record and it puts him 18th on the UK all time list for M65 400m.

Mendip AC hosted the Glastonbury Levels 10k road race, a pancake flat out and back course starting at Strode College in Street. This is a fast course and with ideal conditions there were PB’s a plenty. Joel Seward continues his amazing year finishing 11th in 34:51 a new PB. Next up the fast improving Richard Hardy, 12th in 35:50 and a new PB. Close behind was Rob Collier, 14th in 37:01 a new PB and 1st M50, he was followed closely by Matt Hewer in a season’s best coming 20th in 38:28. Louise Rawlings was doing her first road race 10k and despite pre race nerves was 174th in a very decent 58:20.

To qualify for the London Classics medal, participants must run the London Marathon, cycle RideLondon 100 and then swim the Swim Serpentine 2-mile event. To complete these challenges, Margaret Pearce and Alan Morbey travelled to London along with Caroline French for the Swim Serpentine 2 miler in the open water of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. In good conditions on a lovely sunny day, all three completed the course, Alan Morbey in 1:23:30, Caroline French 1:23:36 and Margaret Pearce 1:40:35, Margaret and Alan picking up their London Classics medals on completion. Other AVR swimmers were Fran Hodson taking 1:02:26 and Karl Hodson in 1:16:53.

Richard Jackson ran the Lundy Island Half Marathon finishing 56th out of 194 in 2:23:58. The fastest time and course record was set by Graham Bale of Plymstock RR in 1:43:37. Lundy Island race is hosted by Pure Trail Running and the course offers pristine wildlife entrusted tracks tended by the Landmark Trust. The route takes in all of the island’s landmarks including the North Lighthouse and undulating eastern & western clifftops. All entrants take the same 2 hour ferry crossing from Ilfracombe and endure the choppy but scenic ride to Lundy and all return on the same Ferry later in the day allowing plenty of time to enjoy the islands pub and scenic views once the race is completed.

Well done to Gemma Collier of Gloucester AC for winning the latest Seaton parkrun in 19:07, just pipping James Denne also of Gloucester AC by 1 second. Chris Swainson of Ramsbottom RC was 3rd in 19:22. The parkrun is not all about fast times, it is a run designed for everyone of any pace to get up and have a go at the 5K route each Saturday at 9:00am. See parkrun.org.uk for more info. Many people each week are first timers and they get a briefing at the start to help them on their way and ease nerves. You will be struck by the friendly atmosphere created not just by the runners, but also by the volunteer marshals and helpers who give their time freely each week. Go on – give it a go – you won’t regret it.

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The Lytchett 10 is a ten mile road race starting at Lytchett Minster Sports Centre near Poole, is hilly and entirely on road and pavements. Haydn Boehm ran well to finish 85th out of 238 in 1:17:36. Here he is high five-ing his Daughter on the route.

 

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The Long, the Short and the Relay

Photos below of Julia Mallon at finish of Lakeland 50, Ian Kinnersley SW coast to coast,  and Graham Newton at the Totnes 10K.

It was certainly a week for long distance races and Julia Mallon ran the Lakeland 50 (miles) and reports that it was certainly an amazing but tough experience. The race started at Dalemain at 11.45am on Saturday in full sun, which continued throughout the day and apparently reached 28c. The checkpoints were absolutely amazing and runners were given pasta, soup, stew, tea etc and were very well looked after. There was a moment at about 3.30am on Sunday morning, before reaching Tilberthwaite checkpoint that was particularly tough as tiredness kicked in and Julia couldn’t work out where she was, but as the sun rose again and a cheese toasty at the next checkpoint was eaten, it picked her up and got her to the end. Julia completed the 50 miles in 18 hours and 3 seconds finishing 762nd out of 1134 at 5.45am the next morning. Annoyingly Julia’s watch said that she’d only done 49.6 miles so after crossing the finish line it then took her about half an hour to shuffle around to round it up to 50 miles. It was the toughest thing that Julia has ever done but she will definitely be trying to get in next year.

The second long distance race was done by Ian Kinnersley It was a 102 km route between Minehead on the north coast and Dawlish on the south coast. The route took in Exmoor’s highest point Dunkery Beacon and the continued along the Exe valley. It passed through Dulverton, Tiverton and Exeter en route. Ian completed the route with a friend from Staffordshire who was seriously injured in a motor cycle accident a number of years ago which resulted in him having one leg shorter than the other. The weather was due to be wet and didn’t disappoint. As they came off Dunkery Beacon heading towards the first feed station there was a torrential rain shower which completely soaked all the competitors including them. So, with extremely wet clothes and shoes they continued. At about 50km Ian’s friend developed a hip injury which then severely hampered them from there to the finish.  Also due to wet socks and shoes Ian developed a very large blister on his left foot by about 70km which also slowed them. They finally finished during the early hours of Sunday morning and their time was 17:56:43 moving time, 20:18:46 total time with stops. Ian finished 104th out of 417.

Congratulations to David Cooke who broke the M65 South West Veterans AC 400 metres record at the Northern Masters AC championship at Stretford, Manchester last week taking only 63.95 seconds.

On Monday evening the Axe Valley Runners took part on the annual race the tram from Colyton to Seaton tram station. A great time was had by all, with five relay teams competing to try and beat the tram back to Seaton. This year the tram won, however congratulations to the first AVR team back, which included Matt Orsman, Jack Broom, James Glennie, Matt Clyst, Lee Moran and Rob Collier.

Ellie Dominey took part in the Totnes 10k, a race she has done 6 times and have previously won twice. This was her first race back after having her second child 4 months ago. Ellie had pregnancy complications and endured a slow rehab process to get back to running. The aim was not to race it but just to finish and enjoy the day. Ellie warmed up by running the 1 mile fun run with her 2 year old, Sylvester, (his debut race!) and then took the 10k steady as she hadn’t run beyond 5k since April 2020. She was pleased to feel fit and strong but reports there is just no leg speed there at the moment and finished in 50:50, some 8 minutes down on her best but, crucially, not injured, still finishing 1st F35. Graham Newton was the 1st over 70 in the 10K taking 51:09 and Ron Seward the 3rd over 70 finisher.

There were 316 runners in this week’s Seaton parkrun. First finisher was Robert Wood of Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC in 16:22 with Mike Burrett of Leeds City AC 2nd, 16:25 and Wayne Loveridge of Chard RRC 3rd, 16:33. Eleanor Wood achieved a magnificent age grade of 90+%! A few AVRs ventured to the Killerton parkrun now run in reverse to aid social distancing with an uphill finish. Jon Day was 26th out of 292 in 22:10; Ellie Dominey 87th, 25:45; Matt Dominey 96th, 26:24 and Gill Day 193rd in a new PB of 32:28.

 

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The 1st picture below is of Ellie Dominey and Sylvester with their medals attached. Ellie ran the Totnes 10K and warmed up with a 1 mile fun run with Sylvester.

Second is the AVR gang before race the tram.

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AVRs take on heat, distance and pebbles!

It was fantastic to be back – that was the overwhelming message after parkrun returned across England on Saturday after 16 months without the weekly 5k event due to the pandemic. Seaton parkrun came back with a slightly amended route to allow for better social distancing before and after the event but still has its infamous pebble finish. A total of 218 people ran, jogged and walked the course including some 22 AVRs. The heatwave had come to an abrupt end with a thunderstorm during the night but by morning the conditions were actually very good for those taking part. First AVR home was Jon Day in 21:01 with Emilie Padmore first female just behind in 21:14 and, also, highest AVR on age-grade at 71%. Well done to Louise Rawlins on her PB of 25:23.
The 175th Seaton parkrun was made possible by 39 volunteers including many AVRs as well as a lot of hard work over recent weeks to prepare for the return. Event directors, Carol Austin and Tony Smith were delighted to have parkrun back and especially pleased to welcome 62 first timers to Saturday’s event.

Four members of Axe Valley Runners braved the extreme heat last Tuesday with the temperature still at 27ºC when the race commenced at 7.30pm. First AVR home was Terry Emmett in an incredible time of 16:56, 7th overall and 1st M40. Next back was Duncan Staddon 11th in 17:24 (both runners recently came joint 1st in the Ham to Lyme 50km). Next was Joel Seward 14th in 17:48. The final AVR back was Ron Seward 68th and 1st M70 with an impressive time of 23:21. The third edition of the Summer Series takes place on Tuesday 17th August from 7.30pm.

Julia Conway and Ron Seward ran the 2nd nights Exeter City run 10K with Julia completing in 48:58 and Ron 48:20 1st MV70.

Gill and Jon Day finally raced the Torbay Summer Sprint Triathlon after covid postponement. It was a 400m Swim (16x Lengths), 10 laps around the Torbay Velo Park, 9.3 miles and finish with a 5k Run, which appeared short at 2.9 miles. Gill had a great race with a Swim time of 12.37mins, Bike 31 mins and Run 30.40 mins. Including transition her final finish time was 1:18:05. Jon had a Good Swim with a new PB of 8.58 mins, on the bike Jon did a “Big Dave” with one extra lap so 10.2miles in 28.07 mins, Run 20.33mins. Overall time of 1:02:14. This was another fantastic traffic free, well organised event by Sportiva Events.
If anyone is interested in taking part in a Multi-Sport Event, then check out their website: https://sportivaevents.co.uk/

Exeter Quay 10k

On a warm and windy Wednesday evening, 11 AVR’s took on the pancake flat out and back route along Exeter Quay in which 107 runners took part in. First AVR home was young Jack Broom who ran an incredibly fast time of 35:18 a new PB finishing 11th and even beating the Ex-Olympian Jo Pavey. Next AVR home was Joel Seward who also ran a new PB, 15th in 35:59. Rob Collier who was ‘fresh’ from completing the Ham to Lyme ultra, ran a new PB of 37:45 finishing 2nd MV50. First AVR Lady back was Eleanor Wood who ran an exceptional time of 46.19 which also meant that she finished 2nd her age category with an Age Adjusted Grade of 90%. Next was Kerry Board in 46:46 also finishing second in her age category with Karen Eyre only 1 second behind who again finished second in her age category. Other results: Matt Hewer 39:32 (3rd MV40), Tim Sibley 49th 42:28; Tony Smith 58th, 46:03; Caitlin Smith 51:54 (1st FU20) and Samantha Miller 96th, 57:35.

 

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