Axe Valley Runners have been shining high in the mountains, on the streets of London and Somerset and on the trails around Devon villages – all showing the huge variety and talent within the club.
In the Woodbury Common 10k Race organised by Budleigh Salterton Lions Club, first woman and first AVR home in 16th overall was Eleanor Wood in an awesome 53.42. Pete Hallet was 29thin 58.58. John Hocking 1.03.53 and Cliff Marriott 1.04.10 finished one after the other followed by Lindsay and Simon Freathy, who ran together, crossing the line in 1.07.10. Next up was Bob Carter in 1.13.58.
The holy trinity of Louise Rawlins, Sarah Whelan and Zoe Harp finished in 1.28.27 with one of them cartwheeling over the line. David (Ronnie) Whelan was next AVR in 1.31.16 with Viv Blumfield and Aileen Heal crossing the line hand in hand in 1.34.24.
Six AVRs headed up the M5 to compete in the Bridgewater Half Marathon and 10k in showers and blustery conditions. Terry Emmet was a magnificent fifth and second M40 in a PB of 1:15:36 with Richard Hardy hot on his heels in seventh in a huge four-minute PB of 1:16:51. Kerry Board was 14th female and fourth F40 in a tremendous PB of 1:37:58. Rob Collier came in 40th and fifth M50s in 1:25:12 with Ian Kinnersley in 91st spot and an excellent third in the M60 category in 1:37:24. In the 10k, Kevin Feeney ran an excellent time of 52:50 to finish fourth M60 and 28th overall.
The Big Half in London is a half marathon run on much of the London marathon route and a month before the 26-miler is the perfect warm-up. After taking the victory last year, Jake Smith had to settle for third this year in 62:08 behind Sir Mo Farah and Jack Rowe.
The Lustleigh 10k is part of the village’s bank holiday celebrations and this year Eleanor Wood and Henry Smith enjoyed the beautiful hilly route. Eleanor came in first F55 and fifth woman in 52.09 with Henry in 62.04.
High in the Italian and Swiss Alps with a backdrop of the Matterhorn, Patrick Devine-Wright took part in a four-day 170km stage race. His final time of 27:57.03 was enough for a very impressive fifth place.
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