Axe Valley Runners take on landmark half-marathons

Masterful from AVR's M45s

At Mallory Park Racing Circuit on Saturday, AVR’s M45 team came a very impressive fifth place in the British Masters Open Road Relay Championships with Matt Clist, Matt Hewer, Ryan Snell and Duncan Staddon running a three-mile leg each. A total of 26 teams took part with just Mansfield Harriers, Leeds City AC, Salford Harriers AC and Peterborough & Nene AC ahead of AVR. Matt Clist ran the fourth fastest leg overall in just 16.00. This is a great effort from the team and for our club as there were some big name clubs taking part.

Exe Relays

On Friday evening AVR fielded seven relay teams in this year’s Run Exe Relays, organized by City Runs, taking place along the River Exe starting from Exwick playing fields. Some 83 teams participated from across the south west. 

The men’s M40 team of Aaron Rawlins, lee Moran, Haydn Boehm and Rich Hardy took first place in 1:01:06 with Rich hardy pipping Matt Frost, the final runner of the M18-39 team right on the line. Both the M60 and F60 teams were second in category

There were also some notable individual performances for AVR from Rich Hardy fastest M40 13:25;  Andy West fastest M65 16:42; Jeremy Norcombe 2nd M65 17:53; Ron Seward fastest M70 17:27;  Kevin Feeney 3rd M70 20:35;  Carol Austin 3rd F60 19:31; Ann Coston 2nd F55 19:42 and Melanie Bolden 3rd F55 20:12.

Wet in Manchester 

Angela Kerr and Adele Girdwood travelled to Manchester at the weekend to run in A J Bell Great Manchester Run Half Marathon. This fast, flattish race starts and finishes in Manchester city centre and goes past both football stadiums on a weekend which also saw both football teams celebrating in one way or another. The weather was stereotypical Manchester with rain although the heaviest came after half marathon.

Angela with her medal. (Image: Axe Valley Runners)

Angela was running for England Masters after qualifying last year and finished in 2:01:51 and was 9th F65. Carol Austin, who had also qualified for the Masters had to withdraw due to injury.  Adele finished in 1:56:13 and was 11th F60. Around 30,000 took part including the shorter 10k option. 

Great West Run Half marathon

This undulating race took place on Sunday and followed closed roads through Exeter city centre and adjacent countryside. Six AVRs took part. Matt Hewer finished 29th and 3rd M45 in a very impressive 1:21:20 and now awaits to see if this will be sufficient for an England call-up! Patrick Rosello  finished in1:37:03; James Hawker in 1:45:30; Ian Apps in 2:03:06; Dan Clist in 2:08:48; and Kathryn Thompson 2:46:42.

Egdon Easy 10k

Darrell Farley and Ron Seward went over to Weymouth for the Egdon Easy 10k on Saturday evening.  The flat course was made up of a short loop, followed by two longer loops around Lodmore reservoir on a mixture of tarmac and gravel paths. Darrell finished in 47:30 and 98th place, a brilliant time given he had completed Seaton parkrun earlier in the day. Ron rocked up in 48:03 and 105th position, snaffling the M70 trophy, despite wondering whether Friday night’s relays were really the best preparation!

328 completed the run, with Robert Wood of Basingstoke finishing first in 33:20.

Taunton Trail Half Marathon and 10k

On Sunday in warm and muggy weather, four AVRs ran the Taunton trail half marathon which is a very scenic route along the canal and River Tone. The route was mainly gravel footpath with an off road section at mile nine. Kerry Board was first female, 16th overall in 1:41:12, Dawn Carrah first vet 60 in 1:58:54, Cory Schultze 1:59:08, and Rachel Hiscock 2:21:14. Alison Hayward completed the 10k in 1:08:36.

Bank Holiday Time Trial

Finally a sunny bank holiday for this club-organised event with 47 AVRs completed the time trial 10k and three completing  5k.   AVR also welcomed a visitor from Sweden who  ran the 10k. The run took place in good conditions and finished on a very sunny seafront. Matt Clist was first finisher in 35:12, 2nd Rich Hardie and 3rd David Cull. First female was Debbie Whiston in 41:00, 2nd Jacqui Stokes and 3rd Eleanor Wood.  These results will go into the big data mix towards the Club’s annual Champs. 

Seaton parkrun and elsewhere

Another sunny Saturday saw more than 300 take part in Seaton parkrkun including many tourists.  First finisher this week was Joel Seward in 17:10 and Harry McMahon was third in 17:57. First female home was Debbie Whiston in 20:28 and she was third on age grade 78.34%.  First on age grade was Eleanor Wood in 23:35, 89.96%. Shirley Goy enjoyed yet another PB in 37:57.

Bec Davey completed Bushy Park parkrun to complete the “Where it all started” challenge. Tony Smith & Sam Miller ran Krakow parkrun plus their daughter, Molly, who finished first and smashed the female course record in 17:10!