There was a great AVR turn out again for the 10-mile Bicton Blister plus 4.5-mile Blister Lite, writes Dave Mutter.

There were many first timers and it was good to see runners of all abilities having a go at racing. The newbies however were given a false sense of security by this year’s course as the recent dry weather meant the pond that was two foot deep last year was just an overgrown puddle with runners taking a leaf out of ‘Strictly’ by dancing around the puddle in the mud – ‘fab–u-lous’ as Craig R-H would say! It also meant that many runners returned personal bests for this event.

Thirteen-year-old Ben Franklin performed superbly in the Lite race finishing first male and secodn overall in 34:57.

Ethan Day also ran well finishing eigth in 38:12 winning the fourth placed male trophy. Stephen Morbey finished 19th, 42:05 and Hannah Bramley, the first 15-year-old girl, 22nd overall in 42:11.

Lesly Adams was 48th, 51:22; Christa Bramley 52nd, 52:17; Martin Kerr 62nd, 56:57; Natalie Wakelin 68th, 58:24; Margaret Cracker 71st, 59:50 and Liz Thomas 77th, 1:04:05.

Andrew Chambers of Bristol AC was the victor in the longer Blister run taking 1:01:21. Matt Clist was once again AVR’s top performer finishing eighth out of 431, 1:05:43 with Tim Lenton second over 40 just adrift in 12th spot taking 1:07:10. James Green in his first AVR run did extremely well to be 16th, 1:09:00 with young Josh Coates 36th, 1:13:17; Jonathan Day 47th, 1:14:40, Rupert Pady 51st, 1:15:24, Ian Apps 107th, 1:22:36 and Eleanor Wood first over 55, 117th overall in 1:23:37. Roger Bramley was 135th, 1:25:46; Dave Thomas 139th, 1:26:10 and Carol Austin, second over 50, 165th overall in 1:28:25. Richard Hale was 179th, 1:29:42; Emma Kiernan 185th, 1:30:11; Geoff Woodward 214th, 1:33:23; Margaret Pierce 216th, 1:33:36; Anna McLoughlin 249th, 1:37:18; Paul Tolchard 253rd, 1:37:36 and newcomer Kirsty Bate 255th, 1:37:46. Steven Lewis was 260th, 1:38:15, Chris Hill 274th, 1:39:41 and Dave Mutter 295th, 1:41:30. Rachel Tytherleigh, Jess and Sue Tubbs finished together in 312th spot taking 1:43:34. Angela Kerr was 330th, 1:46:49, Tracey Anning-Beckett 338th, 1:47:35; Sue Venn 365th, 1:51:40; Michelle Woodward 367th, 1:52:16; Gill Day 394th, 1:58:03; Janet Cullum and Janette Mack joint 405th, 1:59:49; Janet Woodward and Alison Gould joint 417th in 2:05:32.

Tim Lenton, Jonathan Day and Ian Apps were second in the over 40 team competition and Eleanor Wood, Carol Austin and Margaret Pearce were also second in the ladies over 40 team event.

Once again Exmouth Harries put on a superb race in the stunning Devon countryside – well worth being late for the Sunday roast.