Axe Valley Runners (AVRs) turned up in their droves on a hot and sunny Sunday for the Beer Blazer.

Not only did they run in the event, organised by Beer Primary School, but provided timers, marshals and back-markers.

The multi-terrain event starts and finishes near the school in then heads out over Beer Head to Branscombe and beyond.

Coming back along the coast path it is a challenging race, with 5 and 10 mile options available.

In the 10-mile event it was a win for Wayne Loveridge of Chard Road Runners – who on Saturday had celebrated his 200th parkrun by finishing first at Seaton parkrun.

Clearly even the post parkrun beach drink hadn’t affected him, as he romped home in 1:15.33 just ahead of AVR’s Matt Clist in second, and first M45, in 1:16.33.

Midweek Herald:

Third female, and first F65, was Eleanor Wood in a brilliant 1:46.16.

Tim Lenton was fifth, and first M50, in 1:23.05.

Simon Mcclellan had a good run to finish 21st, and first M55 in 1:43.49.

Ian Kinnesley took first M60 in 1:51.28 with Andy West first M65 in 1:57.22, and Ron Seward first M70 in 2:03.06.

A total of 114 completed the 10-mile race.

90 runners chose the 5-mile version including a number of AVRs.

  • Tim Lenton - 5th place
  • Matt Clist - 2nd place
  • Eleanor Wood - 3rd female

Midweek Herald:

Following the Birmingham events, the Great Run was in Bristol on Sunday for the half marathon and 10k.

The conditions were perfect, if a little hot for those taking the longer race option.

The races start in Bristol city centre before following the River Avon out through Clifton to Sneyd Park and Stoke Bishop, returning the same way for a loop around the city to the finish.

The course is flat and fast although with a good few turns especially near the end.

In the half marathon, Ritchie Durrant was 81st finishing in 1:24.29.

Jacqui Stokes was delighted to finally crack the two hour barrier and did so in style finishing in 1:49.20, 1870th.

Sue Hayes, running with her son, finished in 1:47.21, 9th F50 and 1637th, and Mark Day, who took part with his son, was 5889th in 2:16.58.

Angela Kerr took part in the 10k race finishing in an excellent sixth F65 in 55:00 and 1893rd.

More than 15,000 took part in both events with the Great Run machine rolling on up to Manchester for next Sunday’s Great Manchester half and 10k.

Midweek Herald:

Once again, Julia Mallon took on an incredible challenge and nailed it.

On Saturday, she took part in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge, completing the continuous 100k in an incredible 17 hours: 52 secs.

The event started in Castle Corfe and finished in Bridport.

The first half took in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, so a lot of hills but stunning views to compensate for the effort.

Then as the route went through Weymouth and onwards towards Bridport, it became flatter but unfortunately Julia was suffering by then from cramps and sickness, but she battled on to complete the race.