The Westbury 5k road series and the 5x5 off-road series are now open for entries.
https://race-nation.co.uk/register/avon-valley-runners-1/avr-westbury-5k-may-2022
The 5x5 will take place on Thursdays: 7th April, 5th May, 2nd June, 7th July. Information and entries available here.
Westbury takes place on Tuesdays: 10th May, 14th June, 12th July. Entries available here.
The AVR Awards took place on 5th February to celebrate our achievements from 2021.
Congratulations to all of our award winners:
AVR Race Series
Ladies
3rd lady Paula Farrell
2nd lady Jo Farion
1st Dian Hier
Men
3rd Male Peter Campbell
2nd Male Stuart Arguile
1st Male Tim Burrell
Subjective award winners
Adewale Kadiri - Most Improved Male
Laura Beardsley - Most Improved Female
Ed Knudsen - Outstanding senior Male
Bethan Francis - Outstanding Senior Female
Rich Harding - Outstanding MV40
Jo Farion - Outstanding FV40
Tim Burrell - Outstanding MV50
Jackie Rockliffe - Outstanding FV50
Phil Harding - Outstanding MV60
Pauline Bradley - Outstanding FV60
Stuart Arguile - Outstanding MV70
Rosemary Barber - Outstanding FV70
Anthony Hickson - Outstanding MV80
Terri Duddy - Tony Bartlett Perseverance award
Vicky Bodman - The Bomb
Carrie Almeida - Volunteer of the year
Samantha Parry - Club Beginner of the year
Chris Redshaw - Most Promising Athlete of the year
Club Champs
MV40 - Rich Harding
MV50 Tim Burrell
MV60 Andrew Jefferies
Senior lady Emily Dye
FV40 Annalie Ibison
FV50 Jackie Rockliffe
FV60 Pauline Bradley
FV70 Rosemary Barber
AVT Inspire and Motivate award - Chris Walford
Stan Farr Boxing Day run - First Male Mike Towler - First Lady Jackie Rockliffe
Goofy - Kat Taylor Laird
Race Face - Martin Russam
David Griffiths "Members Member" - Sean Price
Congratulations to all of the runners who graduated at Southwick Country Park parkrun on Saturday 3rd December.
Group leaders Sean Price and Gretchen Tucker attended along with the club's Chairman Richard Newman and Club President Denise Ellis.
These athletes completed the full 12 weeks which started in September:
Drew Holloway
Emma Larkham
Catherine Russell
Danielle Russell
Rachel Saunderson
Sharon Alexander
Nicki Hilliard
Karen Newman
Emma Day
Ceri Sonnet
Sandra Bayford
Tracy Patterson
Laura Clifford
Kathryn Quadling
Caroline Reid-Watts
Samantha Parry
This year, AVR had 3 nominations for awards:
Innovation in Athletics and Runner - Sean Price
Run Together Group of the Year - David Hyde and the Chickens
Unsung Hero of the Year - Vicky Bodman
Congratulations to Vicky and Sean for being runners up in their categories and especially well done to David Hyde and the Chickens for winning theirs!
This group was formed at the height of the pandemic, with the aim being to give a small group of runners an opportunity to get out, start running again within the scope of the restrictions, and enjoy the company of other runners, previously forbidden by the restrictions. Word quickly spread and several small groups were formed to cope with demand, enabling people to support and encourage each other, and, thanks to the efforts of their leaders, enable some to take on their first 5k.
The friendly, relaxed atmosphere has made the group very popular, and members keep in touch through a messenger group known as Chicken Chat. Why Chicken? Because the local fried chicken franchise provided free parking, and the name stuck!
The full list of winners is on the EA Website.
The AVR Wiltshire half marathon took place on Sunday 28th November.
"Special thanks to Louise Fearon who did a brilliant job as Race Director and all the volunteers from the club and elsewhere, Sean Price as our resident MC, our sponsors, Ian Tuckett for providing medical cover, those who took some great photos, and James Hart from DB Max. Congratulations to everyone that ran. There were some exceptional performances." - Richard Newman, Club Chairman (pictured below handing out awards)
267 runners completed the course with the top spots being won by Tom Gurney of AVR in 1:12:08 and Hannah Alderson of Bristol and West AC in 1:18:55 (pictured below).
An amazing story to come from this year's race is that of 72 year old runner, Jenny Mills (below, 206).
Thank you to everyone who bought cake at the finish line. There was a lot raised for our chosen charity, The Wiltshire Air Ambulance but we're still counting the amount so an announcement will be made shortly.
An in-person Over the Hills took part on Sunday 7th November while also raising money for Alzheimer's Support.
The hilly route takes in views of Bradford on Avon, Freshford, Westwood and has the infamous river crossing at Iford which is always the highlight of everyone's run. Photos of the run can be found here courtesy of Martin Pearce.
This year, the race was won with a clean sweep from Team Bath AC: Aidan Daniel in 46:45 and Olympian Heather Fell in 54:16. All other results are available here.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to Jay and the working group for putting on a fantastic event, DB Max for providing the chip timing, the volunteers from Alzheimer's Support for bringing the cake and to all of our wonderful marshals for spending their morning helping with the smooth running of the event.
Avon Valley Runners have retained the title of Wiltshire Road Race League champions after the Corsham 10k on Sunday 26th September.