AVR members had a very busy Sunday with members running all manner of events far and wide, writes Chris Feeffe.

Jake Smith made the trip up country on Sunday morning to take part in the Great Bristol Half Marathon. The course is known to be a fast one and Jake started well, positioning himself just behind the leaders.

A mid-race downpour made conditions much trickier, especially a section on the cobbles, but Jake continued to run well and managed to finish sixth overall in a time of 1:10:48, improving his personal best by almost one minute. Emma Kiernan also had a fine run she to achieved a new personal best (PB), finishing in 447th with a fantastic time of 1.33.04.

Diane and Graham Newton ran the Barnstaple Half Marathon which was contested over a very flat run along the Tarka Trail and through the streets of Barnstaple. A few showers of rain interrupted the bright sunshine to make the going quite tough.

Graham was pleased to win a lovely trophy in the mens’ over 65 category in a time of 1:37: 44 and Diane was equally pleased to complete the course just two minutes slower than the time she hoped for in 2:33:16.

Other AVR performances in the race were; Anna McLoughlin, 128th in 01:49:58, Amie Sibley, 401st in 02:24:01 and Martin Kerr, 402nd in 02:24:09.

In the accompanying Barnstaple Marathon there was also many great performances with Tim Sibley back first for the AVR runners, finishing 64th in 3.44.04. This is a new PB for Tim by some 35 minutes!

Angela Kerr was 118th in 04:10:27 which also bagged her a nice first place in age category trophy and Jess Tubbs was 149th in 04:33:26.

Chris ‘road runner’ Keeffe took part in the Taunton 10k finishing 70th out of the 572 finishers in 43.06. His time was not as fast as he had hoped, but he did pick up a shine problem just 2k into the event and so his final time was pleasing under the circumstances.

Last, but certainly not least on a busy day of action, many members took part in the local Stockland scamper race a 10k’ish off road run first home for the club was Matt Clist, second over all in a time of 40.11 followed by Terry Emmett who was fourth in 41.58.

Other AVR times were; Ian Apps was 15th in 49.26, Rupert Pady, 17th, 49.38, Josh Hopson, 18th, 49.53, Eleanor Wood, 28th, 52.41, Alan Morbey, 32nd, 55.59, Nick Adams, 57.14, Andy Sayers, 42nd, 59.44, Stephen Morbey, 49th, 1.03.39, Andy Larsson, 50th, 1.04.42 and Sue Venn, 56th, 1.14.29.