The Grizzly athletic weekend started on Saturday with the Junior Grizfest runs that were exceptionally well attended, writes Dave Mutter.

An exciting atmosphere around the start line greeted the children as they prepared to run. Before the eager children could set off the mayor and the town crier gave their speeches. On the ring of the bell, 218 keen youngsters started on a voyage of discovery to complete the course and win the prize. AVR has considerable success taking the first six positions out of 44 competitors in the 4k event.

Ollie Caute was the winner in 15:02 with Isabelle Beech of Colyton Grammar School the first girl, ninth overall in 17:07. Ben Franklin came second in 15:33; Oliver Roger, third, 15:59; Arun Hawkes, fourth, 16:12; Rumi Thompson, fifth, 16:26 and Ethan Day, sixth in 16:27.

Other AVR results were: William Watson, eighth, 16:59; Matt Thurgood, 11th, 17:33; Max Bowskill, 12th, 17:34; Mia Bartlett, 13th, 18:10; Finley Cox, 21st, 19:28; Christopher Watson, 23rd, 19:34; May Wood, 26th, 19:46; Ella Magrane, 27th, 19:47; Holly Eyne, 31st, 21:17; Caleb Sinclair, 33rd, 21:56; Richard Dodge, 35th, 22:33; Josh d’Albertanson, 38th, 23:36 and Sean Emery-Rich, 42nd, 26:45.

There were 174 runners in the 2k for primary aged children with Jacob Hale of Seaton Primary School winning in 8:36. Ella Shaw from Stoke Climsland School was second, 8:45 and Jim Shaw finished third in 8:47. The juniors, running under the AVR banner, were; Elsa Wood, eighth, 9:13; Peter Johns, 29th, 10:06; Stephen Johns, 30th, 10:07; Michael Johns, 81st, 12:12 and Andrew Johns, 91st, 12:35.

Seaton Primary School had 34 entrants and Beer Primary School 29. The Grizfest Race Director would like to thank everyone who was involved in the roles that they did for making this event happen. For a full list of results please go to the AVR website.