What a difference a year makes; last year the tracks and roads in the Axmouth Challenge runs were covered in thick layers of ice, this year we enjoyed balmy conditions with a fair dollop of mud in some of the off road sections, thus ensuring a mammoth AVR turnout for the event, writes Dave Mutter.

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The first girl home in the junior 2K race for 8-11 year olds was Gemma Hodder with Sam Taylor the first boy. AVR’s Indiana Powell was the girls’ 11-16 year old 4K race winner, Max Bowskill was fourth, 21:29 and Ethan Day fifth 23:41.

There was a five mile run for seniors that was won by AVR’s Andrew Watson in 35:51, with Thomas Oarsman second, 38:33 and Jared Steven third 41:47. It was great to see Mike and Jane Calvert on the running scene after a long lay off. Mike was sixth, 49:21 and Jane first lady eighth overall in 54:10. Teresa Coates was just behind Jane, second Lady, ninth overall in 54:17. Heather Lowman-Riggs was third lady, 10th overall, 54:55; Dave Braunton 12th, 1:00:12; Gavin Warren 13th 1:00:22; Janet Woodward 14th, 1:03:06; Janet Cullum 15th, 1:03:14 and Marilyn Hughes 18th, 1:07:07. Just to prove that you are never too old to run 79 year old Harry Moore enjoyed his run finishing 19th in 1:34:07.

●The main 10 mile run was won by Steve Osborne of club Votwo in 58:02. AVR’s Alex Todd had a great run finishing second out of 84 in 59:39. He beat Patrick Devine-Wright who was third in 1:00:57 for the first time. Young Lawrence Power ran really well to be 6th, 1:03:12. Congrats to Amy Greenhalgh who was the first lady, 10th overall in 1:07:20. Martin Lascelles was 10th, 1:08:31, just ahead of wife Lin,13th, 1:08:49. Guy Lavender was 15th, 1:09:00; Phil Bayliss was 1st over 60, 16th overall, 1:09:15; Robin Britton 21st, 1:12:16 and Chris Driver 24th, 1:13:59. Eleanor Wood was first over 50 lady, 31st overall in 1:16:19. Dave Thomas was 34th, 1:17:11; Steve Reynolds 39th, 1:19:57 and Geoff Woodward, minus his beanie hat 41st, 1:20:30. Martin Croad was 44th, 1:21:37; Ian Clements 45th, 1:21:39; Chris Irving 49th, 1:22:55; Nicky Ingarfield 52nd, 1:23:55 and Pete Hughes, complete with roughty toughty stubble 53rd, 1:24:59, the same time as Ian Apps. Paul Johns was 55th, 1:25:05; Lesley Westgate 59th, 1:25:57; Becs Creese 63rd, 1:27:30; Dave Mutter 64th, 1:27:50; Andy Sayers 66th, 1:29:40; Fiona Powell 67th 1:29:49 and Steven Lewis 68th 1:29:50. Sam Tooze and Claire Moles finished joint 73rd in 1:38:05.

As well as having many, several AVR’s helped with the event, so many thanks to the back markers and time keepers, Jon and Gill, Tracey, Jane, Eric & Sandra who along with everyone enjoyed a post race cup of tea and cake provided by the Axmouth ladies.

Lesley Adams completed the Cannon Hill in Birmingham parkrun 5k 186th taking 29:16.

Father and son Mark and Tom Hilder forgot about Axmouth and took part in the First Chance 10K in Exeter. This is a fast and flat race along paths and cycle ways by the Exeter Canal and the River Exe. Tom sprinted home, over four minutes ahead of his father finishing 59th out of 479 in 40:13. Mark was pleased to go under 45mins finishing 131st in 44:29. The winner was Jim Cole from Tavistock AC in 31:51, only a minute off the course record and a bonus of £100.