With the effects of Storm Ashley wiping out many events including the Great South Run it is a short round-up this week.

Storm Ashley was at its peak as AVR’s  Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady took to the start line for the Mendip Muddle, a tough 20k multi-terrain race in the Mendip Hills starting at Blagdon.  The route is described as scenic with a 420m climb and stunning views, a nature reserve, conifer forest and an iron age fort.  However with the wind and driving rain and hail of Sunday runners just wanted to see the finish line.  Finishing in an excellent ninth place, Rupert Pady was first M50 in 1:40.07 while Karen Eyre, despite feeling tired after organising the ColyTEN last week, also ran exceptionally well to finish eighth female and first F50 in 1:58.17.  Both won a large tub of chocolates.

The race, which attracted 137 finishers, forms part of the Somerset Series of 18 races from which runners must complete eight to be in the final standings.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

On Saturday the perfect conditions attracted another big turnout to Seaton with 280 finishers. Many AVRs completed the parkrun before, as part of or after a longer run clearly aware of Storm Ashley’s arrival on Sunday!  First AVR home was Rich Hardy, second finisher, in 17:47 just pipping Harry McMahon into the third finisher spot in 17:50.  Debbie Whiston was second female in 20:12.  Eleanor Wood with an amazing 90% was first on age-grade for her 23:33.

There were PBs for Zoe Harp in 25:35; Helen Boehm in 30:51; and Shirley Goy in 31:05.

Further afield Kerry Board, fresh from her brilliant Chicago marathon last week, took part in Roosevelt Island DC parkrun  in Washington, finishing fourth woman on her tired legs in 23:20.  Luke Freathy took part in Durham parkrun while Craig Tiley completed Nothwich parkrun and Andy Goy ran Peter Pan parkrun in Hull.   Closer to home, Patrick Devine-Wright and Rupert Pady did Killerton parkrun and Georgie Ryan and Steve Saunders enjoyed the fast Exmouth parkrun.

Templer Ten

The Templar Ten is a relatively flat multi-terrain 10 mile run in Newton Abbott, run mostly on scenic fields and trails, which proved to be a highly successful outing for AVR. Matt Clist was first to finish for AVR, 4^th overall and first in his age category in 59:21. Hot on his heels were Joel Seward (5^th, 1:00.37) and Richard Hardy (6^th, 1:01.28) who was also first in his age category. Matt Hewer (1:04.14) was second in his age category and Rupert Pady (1:07.40) was first in his age category. Karen Eyre (1:13.17) was third female overall and first in her age category too whilst Eleanor Wood (1:20.57) was also first in her age category! Suzi Blackett (1:27.20) rounded off the winnings with third in her age category. There were 205 runners overall. Well done to all in AVR.

The latest results can be found here:-

https://www.teignbridgetrotters.co.uk/UserContent/doc/30057/2024 10 templer 10 results.pdf

 

Chester Marathon

Graham Newton got the chance to wear his England vest for the 5^th time on Sunday when he ran the Chester Marathon as part of the England Athletics Masters team in the England v Wales marathon competition.  The course starts at Chester Racecourse, then loops around the city before heading out into the countryside and over the border into Wales. Then it’s back to England and Chester again, finishing alongside the banks of the River Dee. Graham was competing against England and Wales finest, and did us proud to finish in 3:57:01, 3^rd MV75.

 

Race to the Sea

Lousie Rawlins and Darrell Farley took part in this tough 50 km Ultra in Bournemouth which begins in Moors Valley Country Park and ends with plenty of sand in the last 12 km of the Bournemouth prom. The final kilometre involved running over sand dunes on very tired end-of-ultra legs. Despite this, both completed the run in impressive sub-7 hour times. Louise finished in 6 hours 3 mins – a 50 km PB – whilst Darrell finished in 6 hrs 52 mins. This is the third of Louise’s long runs this year and, so, understandably was her final one. There were 542 finishers overall, approximately half of whom were female. Louise was 275^th, 81st female and Darrell was 390^th overall.

 

Cardiff Half Marathon

The Principality Cardiff Half Marathon was the biggest yet, attracting a strong elite field and a Kenyan clean sweep. The highest ever number of internationals also took part this year – with over 3,000 entrants coming from overseas. The theme for the event this year was ‘A Race For Everyone’ and was an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the city. Matt Frost (1:19.13) was a very successful 225^th out of a total of 22,407 elite and non-elite runners, running a hard-earned PB. Elliott Olds (2:04.31) crossed the finishing line of the infamous 13.1 mile road run too. Well done both!

 

Perth Running Festival 10k

Lesley Adams and Carol Austin finished their month in Australia with a few days in Perth, happily coinciding with the city’s Running Festival!  With a marathon, half marathon, 10k and 4k on offer, both decided on the 10k option. Starting in the city, the route went along the Swan River followed by a mile long tunnel and then over the road bridge giving a great view of the new pedestrian bridge, the Matagarup bridge.  After that it meandered uphill, past the Optus Stadium before returning to finish with half a lap inside on the track.  

Carol finished in 53:40 which was enough to take first F60, from 41 and 116th female.  She had a good first half in sub-25 but found the hills, heat and lack of training meant a tougher second half.  Lesley also found the heat hard and finished in 1:15.01, eighth F65, out of 19.  Nearly 3000 completed the 10k.

In a classic “six degrees of separation” moment after the race, Carol bumped into Sam and Mac MacDonald, former members of AVR who moved to Western Australia ten years ago.  It’s a small world! 

Happy Birthday parkrun!

It’s 5k, fun, friendly and free! This week marked 20 years of parkrun which, since its small start in Bushy Park in 2004, has gathered 10 million runners and over 900,000 volunteers all over the World. So far…. Research has shown that it has made people happier and healthier. How fantastic!

In Perth

Claisebrook Cove parkrun celebrated their 600th event as well as parkrun Global’s 20th anniversary with an international theme for the day.  Flags were provided for some volunteers and Carol Austin was honoured to be the GB flag-bearer!  A colourful morning with flags from 30 different countries and a record 491 finishers.

Worcester Pitchcroft parkrun

The Slade family (Liz, Jeremy and Molly dog) took part in Worcester parkrun which is run on a variety of surfaces around Worcester County Hall. 

A full set of results can be found here:-

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/worcester/course/

On Home Turf

It was a windy one on Seaton sea front for the birthday celebrations. Luke Reed was first finisher in  18:06, third on age grade. Max Richardson was third overall in 18:48. Debbie Whiston was first female in 20:41. There were 260 finishers in total, 106 of them female. A big well done to Matt Chenery (26:38), Helen Boehm (31:18), and Liz Curley (31:55) for PBs in challenging conditions.

A full set of results can be found here:-

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/results/latestresults/ 

Conquest of Avalon

The Conquest of Avalon is set in the stunning scenery of Somerset, with “enough up and down to keep things interesting”. The route runs from Castle Cary to Glastonbury with a final climb to the infamous Tor when your legs are really tired! But the panoramic view and sense of achievement make this well worth it. Amy Sibley and Tim Sibley both completed the challenging 30 miler in a fantastic time of 7:20.41. They were 61^st , Amy being 23^rd female overall. There were 78 runners, roughly half of whom were female.

CapTEN and Bosun

Another infamous landmark with a challenging climb is the Golden Cap hill in near-Dorset. The Bosun is a single lap-scaling of the Cap and is a 5.5 mile course. The CapTEN had the added bonus (!) of a second ascent of the Cap and double the distance (the eleventh mile being advertised as the bonus mile!). Both events included the ascent to the beautiful Thorncombe Beacon, treating runners to two of the crown jewels of the South West Coast Path and Jurassic Coastline. Adding to the tricky elevation of the fell runs was the not-so-good wet weather. Andrew Snook (47:59.01) took the win in the Bosun with Susi Sadler finishing in a very respectable 39^th in 1:29.12. There were 46 runners overall. In the CapTEN, Simon McClellan (2:03.05) rapidly getting more rapid was 8^th overall, first MV50. Eleanor Wood (2:15.06) was 5^th female, 17^th overall and first FV60. Other results included Richard Jackson (19^th, 2:17.42), James Ashforth (28^th, 2:25.18), Rik Tumber (29^th, 2:25.19), Rob Harp (36^th, 2:33.46), and Adele Girwood (44^th, 2:50.03). There were 56 runners overall. 

Seaton parkrun

234 runners braved the pebbles on Saturday and took advantage of our lovely local views. Joel Seward (17:10) was 2^nd with Rich Hardy (17:13), also second on age grade (79.86%), hot on his heels in 3^rd. Debbie Whiston (20:15) was 1^st female out of 123 and fifteenth overall. 

A full set of results can be found here:-

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/seaton/results/latestresults/

Exmouth parkrun

Karen Eyre (20:25) just keeps getting faster with another new 5 K PB, 1^st on age grade (85.31%) and 3^rd female out of 172. Well done to Rupert Pady (19:50) too. A full set of results can be found here:-

 https://www.parkrun.org.uk/exmouth/results/latestresults

parkrun tourism 

Thomas Parsons (22:11) continued his spate of park run tourism, enjoying the course at Ashton Court, particularly the downhill second half! Meanwhile, still in Oz, Carol Austin (25:09) enjoyed the beautiful banks of the Burley Griffin lake in Canberra. The lake was part of the original design of the Nation’s capital. It was her fastest parkrun post injury, despite the chilly wind.

And finally, a world conquest!

A huge congratulations to Innes Fitzgerald in Lima on becoming fourth fastest U20 in the world in the 3 K track race of the U20 World Championships. She finished in a PB of 8:57.01 at the end of a hugely successful track season. Certainly one of GB’s young rising stars!

 

 

 

Craig Tiley and Matt Frost travelled up to the north-east for the Great North Run, the biggest half-marathon in the world.  Conditions were very wet on Sunday for the 43^rd running of the event.  Starting on the (closed) motorway in the city of Newcastle, heading over the famous Tyne bridge, the runners finish with a  flat two mile stretch alongside the beach at South Shields.  Matt, back in his homeland, had an excellent run finishing in a PB of 1:20.16, 311^thwhile Craig finished in 19,844^th in 2:07.40.

More than 60,000 started the race which was won by Kenyans,  Abel Kipchumba in 59:52 and Mary Ngugi-Cooper in 1:07.40.  Marc Scott was second male in 1:01.12 with Eilish McColgan fifth female in 1:07.45.

Richard Hardy took part in the Surrey half-marathon which starts and finishes in Woking using closed roads and hence attracting a strong field of 2700 finishers.  He finished 63^rd and seventh M40 in 1:18.40.

Mark Spraggs ran the New Forest half marathon, a scenic multi-terrain flat and fast race in the national park, famous for its ponies.  The event gives the runners far reaching views across the Forest.  He finished in 1:50.14, 314^th of nearly 1400 finishers.

Sue Hayes ran the Blackdown Hills Trail half completing it in 2:16.01, 50^th overall and an excellent sixth female, third F50. The event started at the Taunton Racecourse taking runners onto quiet country lanes, hills and trails with great scenery across the Somerset levels and Blackdown hills.

 

Volcano on Dartmoor

AVR’s Jess Board took part in the Dartmoor Volcano Race at Scorriton on Saturday organised by Outer Edge Events. The 10.5 mile race takes the competitors to the red volcano lake on the edge of Dartmoor. The route is undulating across the top with a huge marshland and bog and then a longer steadier incline to the highest point at around mile eight.   A faster two-mile steep downhill follows to the finish down the same hill which makes runners appreciate how steep it was!

Jess describes it as the hardest thing she has ever done finishing 94^th in 2:22.57.   She was very pleased to have completed it after returning from injury and felt the cool medal made it worth the pain!

Seaton parkrun and beyond

Seaton Esplanade became a sea of colour on Saturday as AVR, Louise Rawlins celebrated her 50^th birthday and completed her 50^th parkrun.  She is a key member of the core team at Seaton and Stopline Way Junior parkrun and also reached an incredible 150 volunteering stints on Saturday.  Many AVRs celebrated with her in their tutus.

With conditions excellent for running, many AVRs achieved PBs, some helped by a team of excellent pacers.  First finisher was Joel Seward in 17:20 followed by Harry McMahon in 18:17. Second female was Debbie Whiston in 20:10.  Third female and second on age-grade in an excellent 83% was Karen Eyre in a shiny new PB of 20:57.  Other PBs were Simon McClellan in 20:17, Mike Wadsworth in 21:20; James Hawker in 22:00, Rob Harp in 22:10, Mark Parsons in 24:27 and Sue Hodge in 25:53.

Out on the road Andy Goy ran his 333^rd parkrun at his 222^nd at Peter Pan in Hull, his previous home event.  Carolyn Nation secured her G at Goe parkrun in Wales; Sam Miller took part in Seaford Beach parkrun in Newhaven; Fiona Seward ran Chester parkrun; Pam Goddard did Heartlands parkrun in Cornwall; Steve Speariett ran Pomphrey Hill parkrun and Jon Day and Paul Johns did Ashton Court parkrun both in Bristol with Rupert Pady completing Margate parkrun.

And finally …

Well done to Alan Morbey and Steve Lewis who swam more than 12000 m around the Isles of Scilly on Sunday.

Congratulations also to Tony Smith who completed the 100k South Downs Way walking from Eastbourne to Arundel over two days raising funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Not only did he walk 100k over two days he continued his “run streak” with a mile run each evening – that is dedication.

Four AVRs took a bank holiday trip into Somerset for the annual Baltonsborough five-mile race which is part of the local Village Show.  The road race, which starts and finishes in the village south of Glastonbury, takes place on undulating country lanes.

First AVR home in 34th was Simon McClellan in 34:31, just five seconds ahead of Karen Eyre who was 36th, a superb fifth female and first F45 finishing in 34:36.  Ian Kinnersley finished in 36:33 (57th) with Eleanor Wood in 38:03 (75th) and first F65.  More than 170 enjoyed the race and lovely conditions.

Bank Holiday Bonanza in Seaton

There was a huge turnout of more than 50 AVRs for the latest Bank Holiday 10k time trial which starts in Colyford running through the Wetlands to the Esplanade then up to Axmouth and back to finish just after the final turn at the Hideaway.  Conditions were good although there was a head wind for the runners to face.  This was the final chance to earn points from this event for the 2024 Club Challenge.

Matt Clist ensured another 100 points were coming his way with a big win finishing in 35:12, amazingly identical to his May time despite never wearing a watch!  He should be a shoe-in to win the naked run!

Full results

 

Glorious Golden Cap

Tony Smith was the sole AVR at this beautiful off road run on Sunday starting at the Old Radar Station on Stonebarrow.  It is a 10k run over Golden Cap purely to enjoy the views, self-timed and organised by the National Trust taking place on the third Sunday of each month during the summer with September and October the final two events in 2024.  A 5k option avoiding Golden Cap is also available.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

Conditions have rarely been quite so wretched at Seaton as on Saturday and, yet, still nearly 250 completed the parkrun in torrential rain.  Huge thanks to all the volunteers who stood and cheered despite the heavy rain.  Congratulations and thanks to AVR’s chair, Haydn Boehm, who celebrated his 100^th volunteer stint in his usual quiet unassuming way as Run Director. First finisher in an excellent PB was Ritchie Durrant in 16:37. Debbie Whiston was second female in 20:34 with Terry Emmett third finisher in 18:10.  Shirley Goy nabbed another PB in 32:53.

Out on the road, Simon and Bec Davey, secured their J at Jubilee parkrun in Northumberland while Jon Day and Paul Johns continued their tour of south-west parkruns at Upton House in Poole.  But prize for the furthest event this week goes to Andrew Snook who completed Downsview parkrun in Toronto, Canada!