30th September 2011

AXE VALLEY RUNNERS: Grizzly places full in hours!

WHEN entries for the 25th Grizzly and Cub Run went online the 2500 places were filled in hours.

This might leave many disappointed runners here and abroad, but could this make the Grizzly on 11th March the most popular run in the country? Entries for the Junior Grizzly and Fun Run on Saturday, 10th March are still open.

It has been a busy week for Axe Valley Runners.

A 40-mile Run for Tibet on World Peace Day was completed by Dave Kelf from Gorleston to the highest peak in Norfolk. After two days of running, Dave reached the summit of Beacon Hill where he read 40 peace messages. This coincided with the main Climb for Tibet team reaching the summit of Mt. Kilmanjaro for the same purpose. Messages are released in a similar way as Tibetan prayers fly out from coloured flags in Tibet.

On Sunday, September 18th Mark Cary was the lone AVR to get up on a cold and very wet morning to take part in the Votwo Kamikaze adventure run being held in the rolling fields of Mapperton, this adventure run is a gruelling 8-9 mile course compromising of hills, river runs, hills, rope climbs, hills, slides, mud bogs and yes more hills.

A good turn-out of around 300 competitors participated from all over the UK and of all abilities. Mark, who has run both this Kamikaze and the one in Pippingford Forest, finished 103rd with a time of 1hr 41mins, smashing last year’s time by 50 minutes. Mark said “When I got there it was pouring down with rain which made it far more tricky than previous years, so I was a little apprehensive on what time I could post. I even stayed in on a Saturday night to improve my chances, so to finish in the time I have I’m well chuffed“.

Mark has also been the lone AVR competing in the Yeovilton summer series which drew to a close this month, Mark said, “I have really enjoyed Yeovil's 5k series and its where I got my PB of 22:36.

“I desperately tried to better that on the final meet but sadly missed out by 30 seconds. It has been a great series and I am looking forward to competing again next year. “

GEOFF Woodward and Steve Reynolds took part in the Uphill to Wells run.

This is a 29 mile run starting at Uphill near Weston Super-Mare and finishing at Wells Cathedral with several large hills in between.

This is normally run as a relay but the lads were persuaded to take part as soloists by Chairman Garry Perratt. Unfortunately Garry had to pull out as his computer threatened to go into melt down under the strain of Grizzly emails so he daren’t leave it.

Geoff and Steve were determined to start the run this time after not being able to find the start of the Somerset Levels Marathon. However they almost didn't make it when being asked to meet outside of Wells Cathedral for a lift to the start they mistook a large Church for the Cathedral.

The pair finished in 7hrs 18 mins, 3rd out of five solo runners. Both felt that the views were worth the long day but suffered through a lack of water at several checkpoints.

A GLOOMY Sunday morning saw the Annual gathering of Axe Valley Runners by the bottom of Seaton Golf Course hill, awaiting their Special Colywobble Bus to take them to Honiton Golf Course.

The Colywobble run starts at the source of the River Coly and ends at Seaton Harbour. The 24 keen and excited AVR's got off the bus to be joined by an equally excited group of 18 Honiton Running Club members at the start for the jolly Coly jaunt.

The merry Colywobblers dropped down from the rainy cloud cover into the lush green valley of Farway.

All of this was witnessed by some very startled donkeys. The wobblers were joined there by Garry Perratt and Chris Keefe.

A WET and wild river crossing before Colyton saw many soaked runners (this is of course a tradition which has to be respected) with Janet Woodward achieving a full submersion - a baptism of fire for her inaugural run at this sort of distance.

At Colyton, runners got a tad separated and had to regroup through a hedge of brambles and barbed wire, which the ladies enjoyed Limbo dancing underneath.

The run finished at The Harbour, Axmouth (the pub) where much appreciated refreshments were had by all. It was great to socialise and have the support of all the Honiton runners.

Congratulations and well done to Janet Woodward, Jackie Rook, Emma Chapman and Marilyn Hughes, as this was their furthest run to date.

Looking ahead...

Sunday: There are several races, so please find details in the Diary on the Axe Valley Runners website.

Monday: The Handicap race will now be postponed until 10th October. Meet at the Scout Hut in Scalwell Lane for a variety of runs, but do remember to wear a reflective Hi-Viz top now that the nights are drawing in.

Wednesday: The Improvers group will meet at the Tramway Car Park in Seaton for beach training and lamppost reps.

Thursday: Meet at the top of Park Road, Beer for a 7-mile off-road delight. Bring a head torch.