The Chard Flyer is a road 10k with a wicked climb to the finish after a relatively flat course that takes in the reservoir, starting and finishing at the cricket club in the town.  Organised by Chard Road Runners, 11 Axe Valley Runners supported the event on New Year’s Day which attracted 174 competitors.

In fourth place and first AVR was Joel Seward in 36:52 with Rich Hardy just behind in fifth and first M40.  In his first race for six months, Terry Emmett was second M40, seventh overall, in 38:07.  Eighth female and third F45 was Karen Eyre in 48:51. Ian Kinnersley took the M60 crown finishing in 47:29.

Other AVRs were David Cull 12th in 41:10; Adrian Strawbridge 51st in 48:06; Richard Jackson 67th in 49:55;  Mark Spraggs 86th in 52:54;  Lee Brooker  151st in 1.04:24  and Jools Elsom 168th in 1.11:43

Storm Gerrit and the Christmas festivities didn’t stop AVRs during the last couple of weeks with three parkruns in Seaton, the Bank Holiday 10k Time Trial and the last race of 2023 plus first of the new year.  Alongside these there was a singing tour of care homes on Christmas Eve and a trip to the Great Field parkrun on New Year’s day.

An off-road 10k starting on Sidmouth Esplanade and heading up Peak Hill and into Mutters Moor was the challenging final race of 2023 organised by Winding Paths. Due to the high winds, a slight route change on the day meant it was just under 10k with six AVRs taking part and a few others supporting the race by marshalling.

In second place was AVR’s, James Green in an excellent 41:57 just behind winner, Simon Minting of Exmouth Harriers.  Eleanor Wood was fifth female finisher in 55:36, first F65.  Other AVRs were Andrew Snook, 18th in 50:20; Zoe Harp, 103rd in 1:07.19; Vicki Wraight, 115th in 1:09.00 and Kathryn Thompson in 218th in 1:25.21.  More than 250 runners took part.

Storm Gerrit meant a 24-hour delay to AVR’s Christmas 10k Time Trial but still the 43 runners faced some horrendous weather. Despite biblical rain, gale-force winds and even a hailstorm, Joel Seward won with an impressive time of 37:41 with Rich Hardy second in 39:10 and Debbie Whiston third in 43:51.