England vests in Chester

Rob Collier (M50) and Angela Kerr (F65) represented England Masters in Sunday’s MBNA Chester marathon following qualifications at Manchester and Milton Keynes marathons respectively, earlier this year.  Unfortunately both have suffered from injuries over the last few weeks but were determined to pull on the prestigious England vest.  Sadly Rob was a DNF – always a tough one but often the best option- with his injury and a cold in the lead-up taking their toll.

Angela, too, had had a challenging build-up with injury and life events, but as usual her strength and determination saw her through to finish in 6:02.21.

Photo:  Angela Kerr and Rob Collier don their England Masters vests

Capital gains for AVR

In the TCS London marathon AVR had a big presence with a mix of ‘good-for-age’, charity place runners and a few who had been lucky in the ballot.  There were more than 40,000 finishers with conditions perfect for marathon running after the forecast rain held off..

Terry Emmett in 2:41.36, Richard Hardy in 2:47.07 and Matt Frost in 2:57.24 were the first three AVRs home in brilliant sub-3 hour finishes.  Richard and Matt also smashed their personal bests while Terry’s was a London PB.

Pic:  Matt Frost in London after completing the marathon in 2:57.24

Paul Johns in 3:32.26 was next to finish in his third London marathon with Alan Hornibrook next AVR in an excellent 3:44.38, 52^nd in the M65 category.  Jason Potter slipped into sub-4 with his 3:57.59 finish.

Laura Kerr, running her first London marathon for Round Table’s Children’s Wish, finished in a massive PB of 4:12.43 with Fiona Pyle breaking the 5-hour barrier in 4:59.14.  Together they also raised a huge amount for this excellent cause as well as fitting in the training alongside their young families and careers.

Both Roger Bramley and Mark Day were also raising money for charities –  Seaton Hospice at Home and Land Aid respectively.  Roger finished in 4:38.59 with Mark in 5:08.40.

Steve Lewis decided to take on the virtual challenge running the 26.2 miles around Seaton, Axmouth and Colyford with support at various points from Carol Austin, Caroline French and Alan Morbey.  Starting in heavy rain but finishing in glorious sunshine Steve kept up a very consistent pace to finish in 5:11.55.

Photo: Steve Lewis – halfway on the virtual marathon: “Tower Bridge”!

Congratulations to all.  The race was in October again this year following Covid postponements but reverts back to April next year with entries already open and only a few months to wait.

Full results: https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com

Excelling by the Exe

Winding Paths introduced a hat-trick of new events starting in Budleigh Salterton with a multi-terrain half-marathon, marathon and a 50k ultra – all tough courses using the beautiful South-West Coast Path along with riverside paths alongside the Exe and the Otter.

In the half-marathon Matt Orsman came an outstanding second in 1:39.43 while Eleanor Wood was an equally brilliant third woman finishing in 2:00.57.  Raghnild Richards came in 52^nd overall in 2:38.26 with 76 runners completing the challenging 13.1m course which had nearly 1500 feet of elevation as runners ran from Budleigh to Exmouth and back after a gentle flat first 5m looping up the River Otter. Not a course for a negative split!

Solo in Cardiff

Susan Wall took part in the Cardiff half-marathon finishing in 2:34:05.  Unfortunately daughter, Vicki Wraight was unable to join her as planned after picking up an injury in the Berlin marathon last Sunday.

parkwalk launches at Seaton parkrun

Joel Seward was first finisher at Seaton parkrun in 17:41 with Mike and Roberta Wadsworth both celebrating PBs in 22:04 and 29:29, respectively.

To celebrate the 18^th birthday of the very first parkrun in Bushy park, the parkrun movement launched parkwalk this weekend and Seaton welcomed its first group of walkers.  Anyone unable to run, perhaps through injury, may like to join in knowing there will be support of the parkrun community to ensure a great start to a Saturday.

Ibiza dreaming

Our chairman Haydn Boehm turned his hand to duathlon at the Thruxton Mass Attack event this weekend.  With two runs and a cycle he finished in 50^th overall and 5^th out of nine in his age group.  The winners from each group can qualify for the World Championships taking place in Ibiza – sadly Haydn will have to wait for another year or maybe just get the Molkky champs to move to the party island.

Eleven AVRs took on the  Honiton Hippo; a tough, hilly off-road challenge of more than 7 miles with many river crossings to navigate.

Eleanor Wood was an impressive third female finishing 26^th in 1:04.54.

Despite a 50k stomp across Dartmoor last weekend, James Hawker came in 43^rd in 1.10.28.  Louise Harrison finished very strongly in 51st in an excellent 1.14.00. A very muddy Suzi Blackett  was 65^th in 1.18.49 having taken a plunge in one of the rivers.

Kelly Giles was 76^th in 1.21.18 with Simon and Lindsey Freathy together  in 88^th in 1.26.17. Helen Holmes struggled with her nutrition and had a tough final mile finishing 94^th in 1.28.06 followed by Rachel Hiscock in 109^th in 1.38.58, Denise Burgess in 111^th in 1.39.23 and Shirley Salter with a big smile on her face in 113^th in 1.40.28.  A total of 138 runners took part in the race organised brilliantly by Howard Bidmead and Honiton RC.  All the results:

http://www.honitonrc.com/uploads/9/8/9/3/9893707/hippo2022resultprovisional.pdf

Glorious One-two at Glastonbury for AVR

Richard Hardy took the win in a huge PB of 34:13 at the Glastonbury Levels 10k, ran on a fast, flat out-and-back course on traffic-free roads. In a brilliant AVR 1-2, Joel Seward took second place in 34:37, also a PB.

Ian Kinnersley was second M60, 22^nd  in an excellent 43.19.  The fourth AVR, Louise Rawlins was very pleased with her 57:12 as it was a minute quicker than last year.  The race, organised by Mendip AC, attracted 98 runners.

Lush Leonardslee

Rob Collier and Sam Summers took part in a pilot event for the Brighton Marathon trail series 10k held at Leonardslee Gardens, near Horsham in West Sussex. It was a hilly route of shale paths through woodland in the stunning setting of a grade 1 listed garden. Rob came in ninth and first M50 in 43:21 with Sam completing it in 1:25.19.

 Seaton parkrun

 At Seaton parkrun on Saturday conditions were perfect for a fast run and local youngster Innes Fitzgerald took full advantage smashing both her own female course record and the age-grade record for Seaton with her 16:17 second-place finish, just two seconds behind Wayne Loveridge who finished in a lifetime best of 16:15 as he managed to just hold on for first finisher.  AVR’s Rik Tumber was seventh finisher in a PB of 19:02.

During the last week, AVRs have shone high in the mountains, on the streets of London and Somerset and on the trails around Devon villages – all showing the huge variety and talent within the club.

Runshiners shine in Woodbury

Budleigh Salterton Lions Club organised a lovely scenic and undulating10k at Woodbury Common on Sunday when the wet and windy conditions surprised us runners after such a long hot and sunny period.  Thursday’s RunShiners group had targeted the event, which was actually just over 10k, and were joined by a few other AVR stalwarts.

First woman and first AVR home in 16^th overall was Eleanor Wood in an awesome 53.42.  Pete Hallet was 29^thin 58.58.  John Hocking 1.03.53 and Cliff Marriott 1.04.10 finished one after the other followed by Lindsay and Simon Freathy, who ran together, crossing the line in 1.07.10.   Next up was Bob Carter in 1.13.58.  The holy trinity of Louise Rawlins, Sarah Whelan and Zoe Harp finished in 1.28.27 with one of them cartwheeling over the line.  David (Ronnie) Whelan was next AVR in 1.31.16  with Viv Blumfield and Aileen Heal crossing the line hand in hand in 1.34.24.    A total of 124 completed the event which was followed by tea and cake.

Brilliant Bridgewater PB performances

Six AVRs headed up the M5 to compete in the Bridgewater half marathon  and 10k in showers and blustery conditions. More than 300 completed the half marathon which started at the Morganians Rugby Club to the east of the town then headed out to Chedzoy before moving on to the Somerset Levels.  It is mostly flat with some undulations in the first half so is considered a fast course although the wind played its part! Terry Emmet was a magnificent fifth and second M40 in a PB of 1:15:36 with Richard Hardy hot on his heels in seventh in a huge four-minute PB of 1:16:51.

Kerry Board was 14th female and fourth F40 in a tremendous PB of 1:37:58.

Rob Collier came in 40th and fifth (from 42) M50s in 1:25:12 with Ian Kinnersley in 91st spot and an excellent third (from ten) in the M60 category in 1:37:24.

In the 10k, which is basically an out and back of the first 5k of the half marathon course, Kevin Feeney ran an excellent time of 52:50 to finish fourth M60 (from 13 runners) and 28^th overall. More than 100 completed the shorter race.

Results: https://www.timingmonkey.co.uk/results/Bridgwater22/#1_582180

Big Half in the Big Smoke

The Big Half in London is a half marathon run on much of the London marathon route and a month before the 26 miler is the perfect warm-up.  After taking the victory last year, Jake Smith had to settle for third this year in 62:08 behind Sir Mo Farah and Jack Rowe.  Currently in a big training block ahead of the Valencia half-marathon in six-weeks time, Jake was happy with the tactical racing experience.

Village Fun

The Lustleigh 10k is part of the village’s bank holiday celebrations and this year Eleanor Wood and Henry Smith enjoyed the beautiful hilly route.  Eleanor came in first F55 and fifth woman in 52.09 with Henry in 62.04 pleased to be back racing again.

Ultimate Tour in the Alps

 High in the Italian and Swiss Alps with a backdrop of the Matterhorn, Patrick Devine-Wright took part in a four-day 170KM stage race.  With a 3200m ascent he certainly experienced a ‘runners high’, running/walking at altitude much of the time providing spectacular views, sheer drops and huge climbs. His final time of 27:57.03 was enough for a very impressive fifth place.

Seaton parkrun

At Saturday’s parkrun in Seaton Simon Dimmock was first AVR to finish in 19.44. Joel Seward , followed up last week’s PB by helping out with pacing along with a number of other AVRs.  Steven Lewis achieved a PB with his 25.51 time.  Congratulations to Jeremy Norcombe who ran his 150^th parkrun and Louise Rawlins who achieved the 25-volunteer milestone.

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

Jason Hyde (photo below) ran the Easter Bunny 10K at RNAS Yeovilton on Easter Monday finishing in 1:03:46.

At the Bristol Track Club 5k on a windy Saturday afternoon, honorary AVR Jake Smith took first place in 14.23, finishing more than ten seconds clear of the next runner.  Terry Emmett was fifth M40 and 82nd overall in a top-class field in 16:31. Tony Smith was eighth M50 in 21:17.

First male and first female finishers at a blustery Seaton parkrun on Saturday were AVRs with Andrew Snook in 17:38 and Kerry Board in 22:04 taking the honours.  Richard Hardy was third finisher in 18:17 and AVR also took three of the top four on age-grade with Eleanor Wood again heading the list with 89% for her 23:01.  Laura Kerr took almost a minute off her PB with an impressive 24:37.  Vicki Wraight celebrated her 100th parkrun running it with her mum.

EPIC RACING WEEKEND FOR AVR

Axe Valley Runners were out in force racing across the country this weekend.  From Manchester to Reading; from Exeter to London via Taunton runners competed in distances ranging from 10k to the 26.2m on the road and up to 22 miles on the trails.

MAGNIFICENT SEVEN SMASH IT IN MANCHESTER

At the Therme Manchester Marathon, qualification was up for grabs for the World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, but for the seven AVRs a personal best (PB) and a good-for-age spot for London was enough incentive for the trip north.  The race, which starts and finishes near Old Trafford is fast and flat and with no London marathon this month is the biggest Spring marathon in the UK.

In a big field with more than 14000 marathon finishers, five AVRs finished in the incredible sub-3 hour bracket which is a tremendous achievement for the club.  First home was Terry Emmett in 2:37.22 followed by Duncan Staddon in 2:38.41, both in PBs.  Next to finish was Rob Collier in 2:49.07, his first sub 2:50 finish and an impressive 12^th M50.  Matt Hewer in 2:55.34, was also delighted to secure a PB with Richard Hardy in 2:58.39 completing the sub 3 set.

Rupert Pady in 3:10.17 and Karen Eyre in 3:47.59 also ran excellent times for the 26.2m event.  All seven have secured the (current) sought after good-for-age times for London showing massive commitment from them and the huge strength in depth within AVR.

Half marathon fun in the big smoke

Eight AVRs enjoyed a sunny Sunday morning in the capital running the London Landmarks half-marathon which, as the name suggests, takes runners past some of the city’s most well-known buildings.  Sam Tooze and Emma Richardson ran together and finished in 2:19.18 with Jo Orsman just behind them in 2:23.39.  Carolyn Nation, who was running for Parkinson’s UK in memory of her mother, achieved a brilliant PB of 2:34.13 while Sam Halls, also got a great PB of 2:43.06 whilst raising money for Diabetes UK.

Jason Hyde completed his third half-marathon in three weeks with a time of 2:19.54 while Denise Burges finished in 2:31.23

A big shout-out to the final member of the team, Bec Davey who helped at a water station in Holbone after having to withdraw due to injury.

Two each for Taunton and Reading

The Taunton marathon and half also took place in Sunday’s perfect racing conditions with Jack Broom and Ron Seward amongst the 500 field in the half-marathon.  An excellent fifth place for Jack Broom in a PB of 1:14.52 was particularly impressive given the hilly course.  Ron Seward was second M70 in a very good 1:54.43.

Cliff Marriott and Haydn Boehm travelled to Reading for the 40^th anniversary of this well-known half-marathon.  Following a recent bout of Covid-19 Haydn was happy with his 1:39.13 time while Cliff finished in 1:47.10.

First chance 10k

The much delayed First Chance 10k – usually held in January –saw six AVRs test themselves on the flat course around Exeter Riverside.   The event is the first of this year’s In Step Devon series and prior to today’s event last year’s winners were announced.  In 2021 Eleanor Wood won the F60 category, Rob Collier the M50 and AVR were second male team and fourth female team.

In today’s event, 129 runners completed the course in perfect racing conditions with James Ashforth first AVR home in 39^th place in 44:21.  Suzi Blackett was 74^th in 52.19 with Angela Kerr hot on her heels in 52.56 which won her the trophy for first F65.  Maxine Sweetman was delighted to bag the second F65 in 58.45 with Gill Day finishing in 58.41 and Rachel Hiscock coming in in 1:01.29.

First and third at Exe to the Axe   

Arguably harder than the Grizzly, certainly longer, the Exe to the Axe must be one of the most scenic races in the country.  Starting at the mouth of the River Exe in Exmouth it follows the South West Coast Path all the way to the Axmouth Yacht Club on Seaton seafront.  With all the other races this weekend a smaller than usual contingent of AVRs took part but those that did enjoyed fantastic views given the very clear skies as they tackled the challenging 22-mile course.

Matt Clist won the race, which had 142 finishers, in a brilliant time of 2:52.39, some eight minutes clear of second place.  In third place and second male was Tim Lenton in 3:05.35.

Eleanor Wood was a brilliant sixth female, first F60 in 3:53.30.  James Green came in 20^th in 3:43.33 with Stephen Grigg 28^th in 3:49.34.  Ian Kinnersley was second M60 in 3:57.29.

Margaret Pearce and Caroline French ran together to finish in 4:23.13 in 74^th and 75^th with Alan Morbey coming next AVR in 4:52.05.    Steve Maclure finished in 5:22.22.  Vicki Wraight, Helen Holmes, Katharine Moran and Julia Mallon all ran together to finish in 5:41.

A half distance option was also on offer running from Sidmouth to Seaton.  Esme Markham completed this leg in 2.33.28, a creditable eleventh of the 25 finishers.

Powderham Castle Tenner

On Saturday, in perfect racing conditions, Kerry Board and Andy West represented AVR at the Powderham Castle 10 miler.   The two lap route took the 300 runners around the castle’s undulating ground finishing in the castle courtyard.

Kerry set a 10m off-road PB finishing in 1:23.20, sixth female and first F45.  Andy was just behind clinching 49th overall place 1:27.46.

Bolt Round the Holt

In this brilliantly named 10k event near Farnham, Simon Dimmock took third place – second male – in 40.39.

New female course record at Seaton parkrun

Innes Fitzgerald followed up her brilliant win at the Schools International cross country last weekend by smashing her own female course record at Seaton parkrun by running a big PB of 17:11. Vivienne and Derek Blumfield, recent graduates of the club’s Couch to 5k, both secured a PB of 33.05.

PICS: Exe to Axe starters;  Exe to the Axe first three men; The Manchester marathon sub-3 team