Four members of Axe Valley Runners (AVR) took part in South West Fell Runners' Meldon Skyline race on Saturday, which was a 12.5k hilly route across part of Dartmoor with more than 600 feet of climb.  

A steep start straight up to Yes Tor before a skip across to Fordinsland ledge, and a long, technical descent to Homerton Hill meant no let-up for the runners.  

There were a few navigational options in the valley before another summit to the tor, where the footing improved for a fast finish.

First home for Axe Valley Runners was Tim Lenton, who was seventh overall and first M40 in 1:00.23, with James Green hot on his heels finishing in 1:00.35, eighth overall and second M40.  

Patrick Devine-Wright was 15th and second M50 in 1:07.06 with Rik Tumber just behind him in 16th overall in 1:07.15.  

The four AVR members together secured the team prize for their efforts, beating Okehampton RC on their home turf. 

There were 66 finishers in the event, which is also a selection event for Devon at the Inter-Counties.  

Totally Coastal 

There was a 10k, half-marathon and a 50k ultra on offer at Winding Paths' Total Coastal races on Saturday. 

In the 50k, which started in Kingswear with the finish in Shaldon, Patrick Rosello completed it in an amazing 6:35.33 placing him a brilliant ninth with more than 100 finishers – all the more fantastic given a staggering 6,000 feet of elevation. 

Bec Davey and Carolyn Nation ran the half-marathon, which started in Preston Green, near Paignton, then took runners along with the South West Coast Path through to the same finish in Shaldon.  

Multi-terrain with 2,778 feet of elevation and, with Bec using it as a comeback from injury and illness, it was very much a case of running together with grit, determination and the beautiful scenery getting them to the end.

Yeovil Half

Four AVRs tackled the Yeovil Half Marathon on Sunday. The town centre start and finish made for a great atmosphere with lots of support throughout the 13.1 miles.  

The new route even went past the front doors of Montecute House, although it was challenging with over 800ft of climb, with more than 1,000 runners completing the race and taking home a lovely wooden medal for their efforts. 

First AVR back was Duncan Staddon who came in in 1:17:53, first M40 and sixth overall. Matt Hewer was sixth in the M40 category, 32nd overall in 1:25:13. Angela Kerr romped home in 2:10:19, fourth in the F60-69 category and 522nd overall, just before Mandy Harris, 602nd, who finished in 2:16:42. 

Feighan Fury – remembering Mike 

This new race has been created by South West Road Runners in memory of a much-loved member of their club, Mike Feighan, who died in 2021.  

Five-time winner of Seaton's Grizzly, Mike was well-known in the Devon running community having also been behind the creation of the Exeter Riverside parkrun.  

Sunday's 10-mile, multi-terrain trail race took place across the hills, fields and rivers of mid-Devon. Five AVRs joined the first edition of this race which had more than 200 finishers.

Incredibly, Tim Lenton and Patrick Devine-Wright ran again fresh from their success the previous day at the Meldon event.  

First home for AVR was Tim Lenton, who had clearly recovered well, to take fourth overall and third M40 in 1:14.36.  

Patrick Devine-Wright was tenth overall and nabbed the first M50 prize in 1:19.53.  

Other AVRs were Cory Schultze (96th in 1:41.22), Jeremy Slade (114th in 1:47.26) and Darrell Farley (127th in 1:51.47).  

Milestones for Axe Valley Runners at Seaton parkrun

More than 200 completed Seaton parkrun on Saturday in windy conditions with Innes Fitzgerald, fresh from a string of cross-country victories, coming in as first finisher in 16:57, just the second time Seaton has had a female first finisher.

Liz Slade celebrated her 50th milestone running with a group of fellow AVRs, while Angela Kerr reached her 100th volunteer milestone as run director.  

On the parkrun tourism trail, Tony Smith and Sam Miller completed Haldon Forest, Gill and Jon Day ran Teignmouth Promenade and Carol Austin enjoyed the sights and smells of Frogmary Green Farm.

Ron Seaward travelled to Aberysthwyth and smashed out an 80.6% age grade for his 22:26. Also in Wales, Ellie Dominey was first female finisher at Haverford West in 20:56.  

All the AVRs at parkrun can be found here: https://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=1863

Greece is the word!

Richard Jackson ran the Greek Tagetus Challenge on Sunday finishing in 71st.  

The race was 37k over a highly technical terrain with 2,154m of altitude difference. 

Despite the challenges, 180 completed the race which passed through the gorge of Viros which, apart from its natural beauty, stands out because of its historical importance as along it passed the ancient Royal Road that connected ancient Sparta with the port of Kardamyli.