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Vamos Valencia!

Six AVRs travelled to Spain to tackle the famously flat and fast marathon Trinidad Alfonso Valencia.  Taking place just a few weeks after the city was devastated by flooding the race began with a period of reflection and the anthem of Valencia.  Runners, supporters, families and friends all bringing much needed income and support to the region in the race, branded “Valenica runs 4 Valencia”.

Making his marathon debut, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe took the victory in 2:02.25.  There were mixed emotions for the six AVRs.   First AVR in a huge PB was Joel Seward in 2:35.56 in 846thplace, from 28721 men; a brilliantly paced run with a negative split.  There was also a tremendous PB for Matt Frost in 2:47.50, 2266th male.

Terry Emmett struggled with a tight calf finishing in a still impressive sub-3; 2:55.57; Matt Hewer, suffering from the effects of a virus, finished in 3:06.07; while Ryan Snell had to pull out at 14 miles and David Cull completed it in 4:04.56.

Molly Smith finished 28th female and second British woman in a brilliant four minute PB of 2:31.46 while Jake Smith had an impressive day at the office pacing the fourth group at 2:10 pace to 30KM.

Full results 

Glorious Goodwood

A bit closer to home and a group of AVRs headed to the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit to take part in the marathon and half marathon, which uses the racing track so fast, flat circular racing!  They faced wet and windy conditions but came away with some excellent results.

In the marathon Rich Hardy not only got a podium finish, taking second place but also a shiny PB in 2:38.24 and first M40.  Rob Collier finished in 3:03.16, 28th and first M55.

Max Richardson, coming back from a long knee injury, had an outstanding race in the half-marathon finishing in 1:24.56 in 18th place.  Adrianne and Anthony Mullins ran together and finished in 2:01.10 and 2:01.12, PBs for them both.

 

A mudfest at the Full Montycute

It was a tough and very muddy affair at Yeovil Montecute in Somerset for the 10-mile off-road race, the Full MontyCute.  The race starts and finishes at Ham Hill with runners facing ten hills during the ten-mile scenic route around the Ham Hill Country Park.  Twelve AVRs enjoyed the Grizzly’esque conditions to complete the race, organised by Crewkerne Running Club.

The race was won by Chard Road Runners’ Wayne Loveridge in 1:15.43.  First AVR home was Will Campbell in 1:30.40 in 12th place.  Kerry Board was an impressive sixth female and first F45 scooping a trophy and bottle of wine.  Also going home with wine and a trophy was Eleanor Wood, first F55 in 58th, 1:46.25 while Ian Kinnersley was second M60 in 1:46.26, 59th.  AVR were also the third mixed team with Jeremy Larcombe (227th in 1:40.11) and Sue Hayes (95th in 1:44.16) completing the team with Will Campbell and Kerry Board.

Full results  with 236 completing the race.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

Sadly there was no parkrun in Seaton on Saturday with a late cancellation due to a police incident.

Out on their travels Craig Tiley took part in Lydiard parkrun in Swindon; Jeremy Norcombe ran Highbury Fields in London; Tim Sibley and Alan Morbey completed Porthcawl parkrun in Wales; and Canny Hart ran The Old Showfield parkrun in Frome.

And finally …

Congratulations to Eleanor Wood who finished third female in the InStep Devon Series for 2024 and also first F65.  Also to Ron Seward who retained the M70 crown.  AVR also finished third in both male and female team categories.  Prizes will be awarded at the First Chance 10k event in Exeter in Januray.

Brent Knoll secures Somerset series success for AVR

In the final race of the Somerset Series, AVR’s Karen Eyre and Rupert Pady beat Storm Bert to take part in the Brent Knoll multi-terrain race on Sunday.  It is described as a “short sharp shock” of a race and is six or so miles of muddy, steep footpaths and roads up and over Brent Knoll.  The heavy rain reduced to light drizzle for the race which was oragnised by Burnham-on-Sea Harriers.

Karen Eyre had a tremendous race to finish fourth female and first F45 in 51:04.  This also secures her second placed female in the 2024 Somerset Series and first in the F45 category.  Prizes were presented after the race so she travelled home with two engraved pint glasses.

Rupert Pady also had a good race.  Full results to follow.

 

Sunshine for some!

Pam Goddard and Cliff Marriott were holidaying in Tenerife so ran the ‘la espiritu triabona’ at Caleta De Adeje.  Pam completed the 5K while Cliff ran the 10K.  The events took place in the evening with lights, music and amazing support from the marshalls and public alike.  They were made very welcome by the lovely people of Amarilla Coastrun and loved the experience and the sunshine!

Bert cancels many local parkrun events

Storm Bert well and truly blew away Seaton parkrun on Saturday with the route unsafe.

But further afield Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation completed their parkrun alphabet with an N at Netley Abbey, supported by Emma Richardson.

Louise Rawlins, Suzi Blackett, Zoe Harp and Laura Kerr completed Cardiff parkrun as a ‘fast walk’ the first 5k for Laura since a foot operation. Patrick Devine-Wright ran University Parks parkrun in Oxford while Steve Speariett took part in Clevedon Salthouse parkrun and Anthony Mullins hot-footed it to St Mary’s parkrun in Bridport after the cancellation of Seaton.

And finally …

Well done to Innes Fitzgerald who won the U20 Liverpool Cross Challenge on Saturday securing her place in the British team for the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya next month where she will look to defend her title.

Three Rs at the Gosport Half

Rich Hardy, Ryan Snell and Rob Collier made the trip to Gosport for the half-marathon which starts and finishes in the Hampshire seaside town.  Conditions were good on Sunday for the two-lap flat course along the scenic seafront towards Lee-on-Solent.

First AVR home was Rich Hardy in 17th in a big PB of 1:14.38, second M40.  Ryan Snell, aiming for marathon pace, was 29th in 1:17.54, third M45 with Rob Collier in 116th in 1:25.47 fourth M55.  More than 1300 completed the race.

 

Seven Hill Loop for the Smiths

Tony Smith accompanying son, Jake ran the 15k NN’s Zevenheuvenloop in Nijmegen in the Netherlands on Sunday.  The race, which saw a 15k world record from NN’s Jacob Kiplimo, was undulating with the runners tackling seven hills!

Tony finished in an excellent 1:05.42 while Jake Smith, continuing his comeback was 29th in 45:27.

Success at St Neots Half

Will Campbell and mum, Sue Hayes ran the St Neots half marathon in Cambridgeshire on Sunday.  There were perfect running conditions and even an appearance from the sun. Although there is some undulation the route takes runners along the riverside with a three-mile downhill finish so it is a race known for some fast times.

Will set a target of 90 minutes and smashed it with 1:28.44, coming in 125th while Sue also had a good race finishing 303rd in 1:41.08.  More than 1100 completed the race.

AVR run the “Coly Dog” for Children in Need

On Tuesday evening around sixty members ran the “Coly Dog” to raise money for Children in Need.
The 8-mile route around the town of Colyton and village of Colyford forms a collie dog on the run tracking app, Strava and is in memory of Rosie, a collie belonging to club members Tim and Amie Sibley who designed the route during lockdown.
The club now run it annually and has this year raised more than £500 for Children in Need.  Axe Valley runners is based in East Devon attracting members from Seaton to Lyme Regis and Axminster to Branscombe.

Seaton parkrun and beyond

AVR women had a good day on Saturday with Debbie Whiston first female in 19:59, also third on age-grade, and Kerry Board second female in 22:12.  Eleanor Wood was first on age-grade with a brilliant 92% for her 23:05.  Janet Cullum tipped into 80% age grade for her 28:45.

There were also shiny PBs for Matt Hewer in 18:09, Mark Parsons in 23:17 and Anthony Mullins in 24:12.

Further afield Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Goffert parkrun in the Netherlands before the big race on Sunday.  Rob Collier celebrated his birthday with Sam Summers at Tilgate parkrun in Sussex while Kevin Feeney also celebrated his birthday with Sarah Shepley at Kingston parkrun, alongside the Thames.  Closer to home, Craig Tiley ran the new Simmons parkrun in Okehampton; Paul Johns took part in Central Plymouth parkrun; Simon Dimmock ran Tamar Trails and Jon and Gill Day crossed the border completing Severn Bridge parkrun.