This week end saw a busy start to the 2016 season for Axe Valley Runners, despite the inclement weather and challenging conditions, writes Dave Mutter.

On New Year’s Day 190 runners turned out for the Chard Flyer.

AVR’s Amy Greenhalgh was first female, just missing out on a sub 40 minute 10k. Sue Venn also had a good run, finishing 146th in 1:02:07.

There was more AVR action on Sunday at the Axmouth Challenge. Despite torrential rain at the start line and a slightly shortened course due to saturated ground, the mood was high spirited.

AVR scooped both the first male and first female prize in the 10k. AVR’s Jake Smith, 57:43, finished a superb run with an impossibly fast sprint down the steep Stepps Lane to hold off Exmouth Harriers’ Michael Robinson and win by 13 seconds.

Amy Greenhalgh, 1:06, had a great race, running hard from the start to earn her second win of the year sixth overall.

There were fantastic results in the age categories as well, with Clare Hansford 22nd, 1:15:59, Eleanor Wood 25th, 1:17:32, Andy Sayers 44th, 1:31:37 and Angela Kerr 51st, 1:35:56 all finishing first in their category.

There were great times also from Luke Reed eighth, 1:07:39, Samantha Miller 46th, 1:32:01 and Martin Kerr 58th, 1:50:06.

There were two AVRs in the five-mile event: Junior Flo Swan, 39 minutes, put in another fast and well-paced performance to finish first female, second overall and Jane Calvert eighth, 1:00:49.

In the three-mile race, Ollie Rogers stormed home to clinch first place in 23 minutes, a full four minutes ahead of the next runner.

Holly Eyre was third in a time of 28:43 and Finley Cox finished fourth in 31:55, both had cracking runs.

A big thank you, to the Axmouth Challenge marshals, back markers, timers and all other helpers, who endured testing conditions with good humour.