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Hot stuff in London and Manchester
AVRs were well represented in both the big marathons this weekend although the heat took its toll with many of the times.
In London an incredible 17 AVRs completed the 45th edition of the famous TCS London Marathon. There was an outstanding performance from in-form Joel Seward who, despite the heat, managed a 13 second PB to finish in 2:35.43, 395th in a race that saw more than 55,000 compete.
Debbie Whiston finished in a brilliant 3:08.28, just a minute slower than last year, and 40thF45. Meanwhile Karen Eyre scooped a PB to finish in a superb 3:31.03, 84th F50. In her sixteenth London Marathon, Angela Kerr finished in 4:59.25, 87th F65.
As well as the experienced runners there were several AVRs making their London debut and some also their marathon debut with many raising huge funds for charity. Special mention to James Ashforth who ran the entire 26.2 miles dressed as a robin to raise money for Tommy’s the pregnancy and baby loss charity. The conditions were really not conducive to fancy dress yesterday so his 4:49.57 finishing time was remarkable.
Well done to all AVRs who completed the 26.2 miles of the streets of London and all contributed to it becoming the world’s biggest ever marathon.
Other AVR finishers: Suzi Blackett (4:44.19); Kerry Board (3:34.56); Haydn Boehm (4:44.19); Diana Burn (6:02.25); Mark Harding-Perrott (5:13.22); Matt Hewer (3:09.31); Richard Jackson (4:44.51); Ian Kinnersley (3:33.48); Rupert Pady (3:13.47); Aaron Rawlins (4:18.19); Louise Rawlins (5:42.04); and Susan Wall (6:21.21).
Away from the Capital, four AVRs completed the virtual London Marathon running in various country and riverside lanes of Devon. Jess Board ran her first marathon while her mum, Kerry Board, was running in London itself! She ran from Exmouth and back from the quay in Exeter, and was delighted with 4:31:47. The other AVRs completing the virtual event were Mark Day (5:26.41); Alan Hornibrook (3:53.47); and Kelly Nickels (5:25.49).
Eight master Manchester
Further north the heat was also a factor as 36000 took part in the Adidas Manchester Marathon with eight AVRs completing the race which starts and finishes near the Old Trafford Stadium in Salford with runners heading out to Altrincham on a predominantly flat course.
First AVR home was Duncan Staddon, who overcame injury to get on the start line, completing it in 2:51.22 and 13th M45. Rob Collier had an excellent race to finish seventh M55 in 2:58.22. Completing her first ever marathon Adele Girdwood paced it perfectly to finish in 4:21.58, 25thF60.
Well done to Matt Frost who after completing Boston marathon less than a week ago supported some friends through this one to finish in 3:25.09. Jason Potter (3:58.43) and Jo Orsman (5:14.48) made it a family affair with Wayne Tooze (4:10.14) and Jacqui Stokes (4:58.11) completing the AVR finisher list.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
Conditions were good on Saturday despite the early showers for Seaton parkrun with 231 finishers. First finisher was Ritchie Durrant in 17:21. AVR dominated the age grade positions this week with Ron Seward, 81% for his 22:51 top of the league followed by brother and sister, Graham Newton, also celebrating his 50th parkrun in 24:00, 80% and Janet Cullum, 29:58 for 78%. Mike Wadsworth, 77% for his 21:56 and Fiona Seward, 76% for 29.14 completed the top-five!
There was a host of PBs for AVRs on a wind-free morning: Mark parsons, 22:23; Lee Brooker, 23:54; Matt Chenery, 25:03; Ann-Louise Childe, 27:16; Paula Hutchings, 30:01; Lara Rowe, 30:08; and Lily Sibley, 33:12.
Out and about Max Richardson took the first finisher spot at Millennium Country parkrun, Forest of Marston Vale in 17:58 with Erin Ellis also getting a great sub-25 PB while Jon and Gill Day took part in Bideford parkrun; Carol Austin enjoyed the picturesque Plymvalley parkrun even in the rain; Alan Morbey ran Poole parkrun and Gavin Smillie took part in Marine Parade parkrun. Many of the marathoners took part in parkrun events in London, Manchester or on route, a perfect 5k shake-out before the big day.
And finally …
Jake Smith made a brilliant return to elite marathon running following his recovery from RED-S taking a superb fourth British spot at the London Marathon in 2:11.56, 16th overall.
Ferocious Fast Friday
The City Runs organised Fast Friday 10k lived up to its name despite the most challenging of weather with runners facing a wicked headwind for two miles on each lap and torrential rain throughout most of the second half of the race.
There were excellent performances from the seven AVRs who competed in the Good Friday event on Exeter riverside.
In fourth place in a magnificent PB was Joel Seward in 33:36 who also scooped the M35 winner’s prize. Max Richardson stormed home in 21st in a massive PB of 35:21 with Matt Hewer in 31st in 36:57 and third M35. Both Tony Smith and Carol Austin won their age categories with 41:28, first M55, and 48:06, first F60 respectively. Angela Kerr was second F65 in 55:26 and Georgie Ryan secured a PB with her 58:45. Full results
Boston Baby
Rich Hardy and Matt Frost completed the Bank of America Boston Marathon on the 129thrunning of the famous 26.2m event held on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday of April. The race is the only marathon major that requires qualification so the standard is always remarkably high.
Just a week after setting a brilliant PB (2:36.02) at Newport marathon, Rich Hardy ran another superb time finishing in 2:41.26, 890th and 95th M40. Matt Frost finished in an excellent 2:51.43, 2440th place. More than 30,000 completed the marathon with John Korir of Kenya taking the win, despite a fall near the start, in 2:04.45 with Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, taking the women’s crown in a course record of 2:17.22.
Bank Holiday bonanza
With club challenge points up for grabs and conditions perfect on Easter Monday some 66 runners took part in AVR’s Bank Holiday 10k time trial. There were (unofficial) PBs galore, camaraderie and some completing their first ever 10k as well as some fast times securing the Club Challenge points. Full results.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
For once the sun wasn’t playing on Saturday morning but the wet and windy weather did not stop 381 parkrunners starting the weekend off with a 5k run. Second finisher was Andrew Snook in 18:29 and Eleanor Wood was second on age-grade with 90.1% for her 23:41.
Big thanks and congratulations to Ron Seward who celebrated his 100-volunteer milestone on Saturday.
In the States, Matt Frost secured a J at Jamaica Pond parkrun in Boston prior to the marathon. In Europe Debbie Whiston was second woman in Oberwald parkrun in Germany in 20:42. Closer to home, Sam Halls and Rob Collier ran Cardiff parkrun; Helen Boehm took part in Upton House parkrun in Poole; Rupert Pady completed Tilgate parkrun while Lee Brooker enjoyed Simmons parkrun.
And finally …
Best of luck to all those running the London and Manchester marathons next weekend. Enjoy the experience!
Welsh magic for AVRs in Newport
Three AVRs popped over the border to Wales on Sunday to take part in the ABP Newport Marathon Festival. The Festival provides opportunities for a 10K, half and a full marathon on one of the flattest courses available whilst taking in the stunning scenery of the Gwent Levels, coastal wildlife and picturesque medieval Welsh villages. With conditions also good on the day all events saw some fast results posted and new course records in the women’s marathon, men’s and women’s half marathon and women’s 10k.
Rich Hardy and Ryan Snell opted for the full marathon with both achieving excellent results. Rich Hardy came in tenth in a brilliant PB of 2:36.02 which he hopes will have earned him a London championship place for next year. Ryan Snell was 26th, a superb first M45, in 2:40.15 which he was delighted with after injury forced him out in Valencia in December. Nearly 3000 completed the 26.2 mile event.
In the half marathon Matt Frost, using it as a final long training run before Boston marathon, finished in 1:27.06, 55th place with 1600 completing the race.
Summer up and running in Yeovilton
The Yeovilton 5k summer series takes place every second Wednesday of the month from April to September and this year forms part of AVR’s club challenge. With conditions good this week, nine AVRs took part in the first event with some excellent results. The race begins and ends at RNAS Yeovilton and is a fast flat route on country lanes.
First AVR home in an excellent 12th place and in a shiny new PB was Max Richardson in 17:03 followed by Matt Frost in 18th in 17:28, also a PB. Tony Smith in 49th in 19:21 and Carol Austin in 102nd in 23:26 both secured their best 5k times for many years. Matt Chenery in 119th in 24:19 also nabbed a PB while Angela Kerr was 143rd in 27:21, first F65. David Cull came in 36th in 18:43 with Jason Potter 55th in 19:40 and Sam Miller, back from a long injury, 148th in 28:35.
Bath to Bristol by foot!
Why take the train when you can run it? The Bath and Bristol Railway series follow the route of the original train line from Green Park Station in Bath to Bristol Temple Meads. There are 50k, marathon, 25k and half marathon options with all routes flat and fast with historic and active nods to the route’s heritage along the way. Running alongside the Avon Valley Railway runners also pass many restored signal boxes.
AVR’s Karen Eyre and Jacqui Stokes opted for the 25k race with Karen Eyre taking first F50 in 2:12.25, 34th overall, and Jacqui Stokes, 61st, third F40 in 2:21.25 with 135 completing the 25k option. The events are very well organised by Relish Running Races but be prepared for tunnels, tarmac and flat running.
Seaton parkrun and beyond
It was a chilly start to Saturday but the sun again shone for Seaton parkrun and for Joel Seward who stormed to a PB in 16:34, second finisher. Third female was Karen Eyre in 21:14 and second on age-grade with 83%. With good conditions there were a host of PBs with Simon McClellan breaking the sub-20 barrier to finish in 19:54; Lee Brooker in 24:00; Ann-Louise Childe in 27:18 and Lily Sibley, celebrating her birthday with a PB of 34:02.
On the road David Cooke took part in Sale Water parkrun in Manchester; Craig Tiley enjoyed Woolacombe Dunes parkrun while Jon and Gill Day tackled the challenging Great Yarmouth North Beach parkrun. Rupert Pady was an excellent fourth finisher at Uckfield parkrun in East Sussex; Liz Curling took part in Carlingwark Loch parkrun in Scotland with Vicki Wraight visited Greendale Farm Shop parkrun.