After a couple of rest weeks the AVR gang were out in force over the Easter period, writes Dave Mutter.

The seven-mile Kilmington Kanter on Good Friday proved to be very good for the club as AVR runners claimed the first three places.

The weather was cold but sunny and the going was mostly good, but there were a few boggy patches and Paul Johns briefly lost a shoe in one such sticky spot!

Tim Lenton led for much of the race being tracked by Matt Clist and Alex Todd.

Lenton maintained his lead going up the steep hill from Shute Barton after five miles, but Clist finally managed to overhaul him in the last mile to win in 42:30 with Lenton 16 seconds adrift.

Third place went to Todd in 43:56. Luke Reed ran well to finish seventh in 47:47, grabbing the first ‘local runner’ prize to boot.

Tim Sibley was 18th in 53:18 one place ahead of Matt Smith who finished in 53:50 with Gavin Watts 23rd in 54:21.

Eleanor Wood had a super run; she was first lady over 45, 28th overall in 55:15 just one second ahead of Dave Thomas with Matt Morbey just behind, 30th in 55:33. Despite his shoe loss, Paul Johns was 35th, 56:56; Clare Hansford 44th, 59:07; Gareth Walker 45th, 59:32; Alison Bowskill 52nd, 63:24; Anna McLoughlin 56th, 67:12; Alan Morbey 62nd, 71:08 and Jane Calvert 63rd, 72:53.

AVR runners also enjoyed great success in the Junior / Fun Run race with Mollie Hansford winning the 15/16 girl’s race, fourth overall in 19:20.

Mia Bartlett won the girl’s 11/12 section,tenth overall in 21:37 and Stephen Morbey won the boys 15/16 race finishing 12th overall in a time of 22:13.

Ollie Caute was the first AVR home, third overall in 18:47; Arun Hawkes was sixth, 20:14; Max Bowskill ninth, 21:22; Matt Thurgood 11th, 21:43; non-junior Rick Wood 14th, 24:23, Caleb Sinclair 15th, 25:38; Adam Burrough 20th, 27:11; Kate Alexander 23rd, 29:15 and Nancy Mcloughlin 24th, 42:00.