AVR Closed Races

AVR Closed Races

AVR host a number of events just for members to take part in.  These are as follows:



Mob Match

(a.k.a. Over the Hills backwards) (a.k.a. Over the Hills backwards)

Thursday 20th June 2024

The event, which is open to members of Avon Valley Runners and invited local clubs, will be held in Bradford on Avon starting @ 19:30, adjacent to the Tithe Barn, Bradford On Avon and the route will as ever be across the “Over the Hills” course – only backwards!!! Runners are asked to register from 19.00 at Avon Valley Runners' club house in Pound Lane, Bradford-on-Avon, ensuring they have collected their number by 19.25 at the latest.

If you wish to reccie the route prior to the event (which is encouraged!) please can you kindly not run through Iford Manor as this is closed to the public.

No times will be 'officially' recorded, only positions to determine the match winners. The match points will be determined against the finishing positions of the runners belonging to the same club/sex up to the number of the lowest attending club (though please note a minimum number of five runners per club is required). 

There will be no marshals and runners are expected to be familiar with the course (course map otherwise known as "Over the Hills Backwards" can be found here).

After the fun of the race we will engage in some post-run refreshment and prize giving at the “Lock Inn” on Frome Road.

The match points will be determined against the finishing positions of the runners belonging to the same club/sex up to the number of the lowest attending club (though a minimum number of five is required). There are no marshals and runners are expected to be familiar with the course.

THIS IS A MOB MATCH AND THEREFORE BACK RUNNERS CAN ACTUALLY SCORE BETTER THAN THE RACING SNAKES AT THE FRONT!

This event is open to all AVR members and invited runners only.  Not suitable for JAVR




 Track Championships 

TBC

It's school sports day again!

Come along and enjoy this fun members only event for all age groups. Including two new events for this year!

Get to run around the world class track facility at Bath University alongside members of all ages.

This great fun event will take place at Bath Sports village outdoor athletics track on a Wednesday in July 2022 from 7-9pm.

Meet in the foyer for event registration from 6:45pm

Events for all categories and all abilities - Mens, Ladies and Juniors, 11+ and 7-10's:

100m (New this year)
200m
400m
800m
1500m
4x400m Relays
Vortex Throw (New this year)

If you don't fancy running then feel free to come and cheer on those that are.  Volunteers are always appreciated to assist with the various events.

This event is open to all AVR and JAVR members



 Tom Roberts Watchless Handicap  


The winner is the person who predicts their finishing time the most closely and there is a watch ban! 

Date in 2023 yet to be decided

This event is open to all AVR & JAVR members



BernCol Relay

Thursday 8th August 2024

A firm favourite!

Teams are picked at random on the night. Members are seeded and placed into 3 groups. Mixed teams of 3 are picked - one from each group.

Best of all a FREE chip supper to follow!

The Route - Starting from just outside the clubhouse at Bradford on Avon, it's a lap of the field then run into the country park following the path until it rises up onto the canal towpath. Along the towpath until you are almost at the Lock Inn (no pit stops please) turn left into Victory playing fields then past the Tythe Barn back by path alongside the Bowls club for a changeover just outside the clubhouse.

Registration and team selection will be at 7pm (19:00)

This event is open to all AVR & JAVR members aged 11+ only



AVR Westbury 5K Time Trial

TBC

Come and run your fastest 5k!  For members of AVR, we do a 5k time trial twice a year.  A date is to be confirmed for later in the year.



The AVT 10 Mile Time Trial Competition

TBC

The AVT 10 Mile Time Trial Competition takes please on the 13th September as part of the DBMax KineticOne series. The race takes place on a closed circuit with smooth tarmac and no drain covers! Please remember to enter as Avon Valley Triathletes. We look forward to seeing as many as you as possible. There are Trophies to be won! 

Click here to enter.



Stan Farr 5k

Tuesday 26th December 2024

In memory of the race founder and  long serving club secretary.

Trowbridge RFC, Doric Park, Hilperton, Trowbridge BA14 6JB

Come and work off that Christmas pud!

New course - 5 Km multi-terrain (mostly track and bridle path) with only a short section of road which is very quiet. 

and afterwards in the bar

  • Entry on the day - Sorry members only (though members are welcome to bring a guest along)
  • Please arrive from 11am for registration. Race start promptly at 11.30am
  • Changing, Showers, Toilets

A map of the course can be seen here:

This event is open to AVR & JAVR members aged 11+ only

Event History

The Boxing Day Run was first staged in 1960 by Trowbridge & District AC and ran a course of 3.4 miles from the Castle Public House in Ashton Street, Trowbridge up to the West Ashton crossroads and back again, a shorter 2-mile event was held for the Ladies and a 1-mile race for Juniors and Colts. The 3.4-mile event also hosted a race walk. In 1985 the embryonic Avon Valley Runners took over the hosting of the event and saw a course record set by C. Murray in a time of 17:24. The Ladies 2-mile record of 11:53 was set by Judy Farr in 1979 with Rosemary Barber setting a ladies record of 21:28 in 1992 over the 3.4-mile course.

In 1999 (the 40th staging of the event) due to increasing traffic volumes along the West Ashton Road, Avon Valley Runners decided to relocate the event and moved it to a 3.2-mile course from the Longs Arms Public House in Steeple Ashton. Then in 2000 relocated the event to a 5K course from the Beehive Public House in Bradford on Avon. The 5K course from the Beehive had a course record time of 16:58 set by Michael Bryant in 2006 with Rachel Bown setting the Ladies record of 19:13 in the same year.

In 2008 it was decided to rename the Boxing Day run as " The Stan Farr 5K" in memory of the race founder and long serving club secretary. It was also 40 years since he had won the race in 1968.

Following the closure of the Beehive in 2008, alternative 5K courses have been run in Barton Farm Country Park, Bradford on Avon (2008) and Whaddon Lane, Hilperton (2009-2011).

The most wins of the Boxing Day Run are by Mike Towler who has recorded seven victories in the Men's race ( 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016) and for the Ladies, Judy Farr has notched up 17 victories (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 & 1989). The most appearances at the Boxing Day Run is by Ian Stan Farr who completed every run from 1960 through to 2005.

Results of the Boxing Day Run can be found through the links on the left, there are a number of gaps (particularly in the 1960's) and would appreciate any feedback in producing a complete record of this event.