RACE PREVIEWS
by Pete Sargent (Newquay Road Runners)

 

NEWQUAY 10K PREVIEW. 1st OCTOBER 2006

 
Another bumper field is expected on Sunday morning for a road race in Cornwall. Already around 350 entries have already been received for this weekend's Newquay 10 km race.
This race also offers exceptional value for money, with all finishers receiving a high visibility training bib, (just pop into your local sports shop to see how much they would cost you ), and a co-op goody bag. Then look at the extensive prize list, which includes prizes for the first SIX teams, and with SIX to count.
Now thinking "well I wont be winning anything ", then make sure you stay behind for the presentation, there will be loads of "worth  winning " spot prizes, but you must be there to win one, so don't say you didn't know about them.
And now to the course for those that didn't do this race last year. Remember , it is basically what is termed a "lollipop" course, ie in this case the first two and a bit mile is the same two and a bit mile coming back, (that's the lollipop stick ), which means you come back down the gradual climb that you went up going out. Just after two and a bit, you run a near two mile circuit,( that's the lollipop itself ) and again, the first half is very slightly up, but don't ask me why, but the second half definitely seems a lot more down...honest!!
So , the very best of luck to all runners, and have a good run.
 
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
NEWQUAY 10K LOWDOWN.
Date:               Sunday Oct 1st.
Start time:        11 o.clock.
Venue:             Newquay Sports Centre, Tretherras Road, Newquay.
Contact:           Jan Sargent Tel 01637 830382.
Entry fees:        Affiliated £8, Unattached £10.
Closing date:     Entries accepted on the day, £2 surcharge.
Awards:            As per G.P. standards, plus loads of extras including High Visibility Training Bib and CO-OP Goody Bag to all finishers, and numerous spot prizes donated by the Ironbridge Runner in Exeter, and Fosters.
Course description: A fairly flat out and back course along town streets and country lanes.
Time of last finisher 2005:73mins 49secs.
Additional information. A 1 mile fun run within the perimeter of the Sports Centre grounds starts at 10 o,clock, with a medal and Co-op Goody bag awarded to all finishers.

 

TRURO HALF MARATHON PREVIEW

 
The largest field ever assembled for a road race in Cornwall, will take to the streets in and around Truro on Sunday morning, when the city holds its annual half marathon. The race is organised by Truro Running Club and sponsored by Skinners Brewery.
A full week before the event takes place 520 entries have already been received, which has already surpassed the previous all time high of just under 500 which took part in this race last year.
With most of the Piazza on Lemon Quay set aside for the race, and many of the city centre streets closed to traffic, this is the one race in Cornwall that has " the big city " feel to it, that local runners can only usually experience if they travel further afield to compete.
The race also incorporates Round 12 of this years Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre Grand Prix Series.
 
 
TRURO HALF MARATHON RUNDOWN
 
Date:                           Sunday Sept 24th.
Start time:                    10-30am
Venue:                         Piazza, Lemon Quay,Truro.
Contact:                       Lisa Wotton Tel. 07976 069157
Entry fee:                     £11 affiliated, £13 unattached
Closing date:                Entries accepted on the day from 8am. £2 surcharge.
Awards:                       As per G.P. standards, plus T.Shirt to all finishers.
Course description:       After a two lap circuit around the city centre, the course follows a scenic, undulating route through the surrounding countryside around Shortlanesend and Threemilestone.
Time of last finisher 2005: 3hours 28mins. 
Additional information:   The Family Fun Run, incorporating the Carrick Junior Schools Challenge starts at 10-45.
Entries for this event will be taken at the Fun Run registration desk in the entrance to the Hall for Cornwall in Boscawen Street. There is no charge for entries, but a donation to the Childrens Hospice South West would be welcome. All finishers will receive a medal.
 
Full details and everything you need to know about the event can be found on www.trurorunningclub.org.uk

 

 
PROBUS 10K PREVIEW
This new addition to the Cornwall running diary takes place this weekend Sunday September 10th.
The race is organised by the Probus 10k Race committee on behalf of the Probus Playing Fields committee, who will be assisted by the Truro Running Club.
 
PROBUS 10Km RUNDOWN.
Date:             Sunday Sept 10th.
Start time:     11am.
Venue:          Probus Village Hall.
Contact:        Charles Chilcott. Tel. 01726 884562
Entry fees:    £8 Affiliated, £10 Unaffiliated.
Closing date: Entries accepted on the day £2 surcharge.
Awards:        First male and female, £40, second male and female £15, third male and female £10. Trophy for winners in all   
                    veteran 5 year age groups. Winning teams, Male (6 to count), and Female (4 to count). Memento to first 250
                    pre-entered runners.
Course description: An undulating course consisting of mostly country lanes, linking the villages of Grampound Road, Ladock and
                    Probus.
 
TREGGY 7 MILE PREVIEW.
After a few weeks break from G.P. action, this weekend sees the Treggy  7 mile road race at Launceston, which incorporates Round 11 of the Cornwall Road Running Grand Prix series, sponsored by the Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre in St Austell.
Although in existence for several years, this will be the first race organised by the Launceston Road Runners club.
For this year, the organisers have placed a limit of 300 on the number of entries, and at the moment this figure looks like being reached before race day, so its perhaps advisable to check with Nicky for the latest info.
Although the race starts near the Launceston Football ground in the middle of the Pennygillam Industrial Estate, the runners will quickly find themselves on a scenic circuit around the surrounding countryside. From what I can recall of the course, there is a lovely long steep downhill section around the half way mark, followed by a pleasant stretch along the valley. And then there's quite a nice uphill section, so don't say you weren't warned !!...well it is Launceston after all.
 
TREGGY 7 RUNDOWN.
Date:              Sunday September 3rd.
Start time:       11am
Venue :           Launceston Football Ground, Pennygillam Ind Est. Launceston.
Contact:          Nicky Pethick Tel 01566 776305 or e.mail: entries@treggy7.co.uk
Entry fees:      £8 affiliated £10 unaffiliated.
Closing date:   Entries accepted on the day, subject to race limit being reached, £2 surcharge.
Awards:          As per G.P.standards plus memento to all finishers.
 
St Levan 10k - 11th August 2006
This race takes place on Friday August 11th, and is described as the countries "most westerly road race". And theres not much point getting your map out to find where St Levan is, because you wont find it, theres no such place!! Therefore, Ive added the directions below for where you must aim for.
Once there , you will find an excellent race over a quiet one lap rural course, theres a couple of hills on the way round, but there is also plenty of good running ground, so there is the chance of a PB.
Anyone requiring further details or info should check out the race website, www.stlevan10k.co.uk
 
ST LEVAN 10KM RUNDOWN.
Date:     Friday August 11th
Start time:7pm
Venue:  St Levan playing fields, Polgigga, nr Penzance.(On A30 from Penzance towards Lands End, turn left to St Buryan, then follow signs to Porthcurno.Do not turn off to Porthcurno, but continue on main road for 300 metres.The playing fields are on the right hand side, after the Methodist Chapel.)
 NB After leaving the A30, the road to Polgigga is very narrow in places and can also be very busy with holidaymakers returning to camp sites etc.Therefore it is advisable to allow plenty of time in reaching the race HQ.
Contact:  Steve Chapple Tel 01736 786164
Entry fees: £5 Affiliated, £7 Unaffiliated.
Closing date: Entries accepted on the evening, £2 surcharge.
Awards: Trophies to individuals, veterans and teams (4 to score)
Time of last finisher 2005:  70mins 33secs.
Additional information: A childrens 2 mile race starts at 7pm.  
 
 
Vale of Lanherne Chase - 9th August 2006
This Multi-terrain race or "Fun run"( nb.this is not a permitted race), takes place on Wednesday August 9th, and has been one of the features of the St Columb Major Carnival week for at least 20 years. Entries are taken outside the the Silver Ball public house in St Columb Major, from 5.45pm onwards.There is no age limit on the competitors. Therefore its best to say, treat it as a social run or alternatively a hard training run if you so wish. With many Newquay Road Runners present, there will almost certainly be some very competitive runners around.
All runners are then transported by bus to the start at Mawgan Porth for a 7pm start. Race distance is just short of 5 miles, and comprises a mix of footpaths across fields, and through the woods.There are also a couple of stiles to negotiate. Besides the 400 odd metres through the village of Mawgan, the final mile is also on the road, albeit a very quiet country lane. Prospective runners may wish to know that Mawgan Porth is located at sea level, whilst St Columb Major is allegedly some 600 feet above sea level.
 

INDIAN QUEENS HALF MARATHON  -  6th August 2006

The next race in this years Cornwall Road Running Grand Prix Series will be the Indian Queens Half Marathon, sponsored by Parkdean Holidays,  which starts at 10 am on Sunday August 6th.
14 days prior to race day, 142 entries have been received already, well in excess of the number received at the corresponding time last year, when the race attracted a record entry of 268 runners.
This year, all finishers will receive a personalised mug, providing their entry is received prior to Friday July 28th.
For the younger athletes, there will be a 1 mile fun run, starting at 9 am.
For further details of the race, entry forms and directions to the race H.Q. etc, check out the Race Diary link on this website.  Race Details
 

TYWARDREATH TROTTER  -  29th July 2006

This weekend, Saturday July 29th, will see the first running of a new event on the Cornwall running calendar, the Tywardreath Trotter.
Organised by the Tywardreath Fete Committee, and assisted by the Newquay Road Runners, the "Trotter" is a Multi-terrain race of approximately 6.5 miles. Half of the course comprises of footpaths and bridleways, with the other half along quiet country lanes.
The race starts from the New Inn at Tywardreath, near Par, St Austell at 6.30pm. The entry fee is £6 for affiliated runners, £8 unaffiliated, with entries also accepted on the evening, £1 extra. Various prizes are on offer to individuals, veterans and teams, with a T.Shirt and goody bag to all finishers.There is also a childrens one mile fun run, which will start at 5.30pm.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to village charities.
Anyone requiring further information can contact the race organiser Matt Ward Tel. 01726.815313, or check out the website www.tywardreathtrotter.co.uk
 

MAGNIFICENT 7 -  16th July 2006

The second Cornish Grand Prix race this week takes place on Sunday when the Tamar Trotters club based in Saltash hold their annual Magnificent 7 mile road race....well at least the first mile is magnificent if you enjoy running down hill, but after that its best if you make your own mind up.
Seriously though, this is an excellent well organised event, with a great atmosphere on the day. Earlier this week, the organisers had already filled the 350 race places available, so any runner who is really keen  to run and has not yet entered, are advised to contact the race organiser regarding the latest position. They may just have had notice of someone pulling out,and may consider a swap. 
As usual there is a good turn out from the Newquay Road Runners club , but if you are looking for the mens team prize winners, then Cornwall A.C. look particularly strong, with Danny Simons, Noel Kindon, Dave Buzza, Tony Dunn, and others all entered.
 

MAGNIFICENT 7 MILE RUNDOWN.

Date:         Sunday July16th.
Start time:  11 o.clock.
Venue:       Saltash Rugby Club, Moorlands Lane, Saltash. Car parking sign-posted on the A38.
Contact:     Tracy Stiff. Tel. 01752 316532.
Entry fees:  Affiliated £8   Unaffiliated £10.
Closing date: Race limited to 350 runners. No entries accepted on the day.
Awards:      As per G.P. standards, plus T.Shirt to all finishers.
Course desciption:   Hilly.
Time of last finisher 2005: 91mins 16secs.
Additional information:  A 1.5 mile fun run starts at 10-15am, medal to all finishers, entries accepted on the day. 

LAUNCESTON HALF MARATHON  -  2nd JULY 2006

This weekend, one of the hardest half marathons on the racing calendar takes place, when the Kernow Runners hold their annual event in Launceston.Whilst much of the course is generally hilly, the real sting in the tale is the final couple of miles, where the competitors hit the long steep climb back into the town. And if that isn't bad enough, the latest weather forecast suggests we could be in for a scorcher as well.
Nevertheless, as of today (Friday ) there has been 222 entries already, details of which are displayed.
The race also incorporates Round 7 of the Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre Grand Prix Series.
LAUNCESTON HALF MARATHON RUNDOWN
Date:           Sunday July 2nd
Start time:   10.30am
Venue:         Coronation Park, Launceston, sign posted from the A30.
Contact:       Dave Gordon. Tel 01566 774706
Entry fees:    £8 Affiliated  £10 Unaffiliated.
Closing date: Entries accepted on the day, £2 surcharge.
Awards:        As per G.P. standards, plus T.Shirt to all finishers.
Course description: Very hilly, advertised as possibly the toughest half marathon in the South West.
Time of last finisher 2005: 178mins 15secs
Additional information: A 2 mile family fun run starts at 10.45am, quality awards to all finishers.

STICKER 5  -  24th JUNE 2006

This weekend , Saturday June 24th, sees the first of 4 Cornwall Road Running Grand Prix series races within a 22 day period.

The venue is Sticker Football field, a couple of miles down the road from St Austell, and the race is the Sticker 5 mile road race.
When the event was first held many years ago, it was known as the Sticker "Up and Downer", which was a short and concise description of the course, so you know what to expect.In the main, you are either going "up" or "down"
24 hours prior to the start, there have been 304 entries. Because the organisers offer a trophy to the club with the biggest number of entries, and they wish to keep the winner a secret until after the race, they have requested that no list of all pre entries, which usually appear here, be publicised.
Therefore, if you want to check and ensure that your entry has arrived safely, then its best to give Paul Bullock a ring on Tel 01726 61462
Also on the evenings programme is a 1 mile fun run, which starts at 5.15pm.
 
Cornish runners who intend running the Mag 7 mile road race at Saltash on Sunday July 16th, are reminded that the race entry limit of 350 is usually reached well in advance of race day, so you are advised to get your entries in now to avoid disappointment.

Cubert 5 2006  -  Tuesday 6th June 2006

 All roads lead to the village school at Cubert near Newquay next Tuesday evening..June 6th.. for the annual 5 mile road race and 1 mile fun run.

The race is organised by the Newquay Road Runners club, is part of the Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre Grand Prix Series, and also incorporates the Cornwall 5 mile road race championships.
This year will also see for the first time ,the award of the Vic McKee Memorial Trophy, which will go to the first runner to reach the 1 mile mark and also goes on to finish the race. Ironically, the first 99% of that mile have just been resurfaced by County Highways, giving a lovely smooth, fast racing surface.
To date, over 330 entries have been received, see details below.Entries will be accepted on the night if you have not already entered. Dont forget to arrive in good time to collect your number.
Also on the agenda is the 1 mile fun run, starting at 6 o.clock, which last year attracted around 250 entries.
There will also plenty of other things going on, including face painting, Coconut Shy, Football challenge, Bouncy Castle, B.B.Q., Refreshments, Hot and Cold drinks, food, and a licenced bar.
Anyone requiring further info or details should contact Jan Sargent Tel 01637 830382

DUCHY MARATHON AND DUCHY 20 MILE PREVIEW.

Sunday 12th March 2006

 

This weekend, Sunday March 12th sees Cornwall Athletic Club stage the 30th running of the Duchy Marathon.
Nowadays, the race takes place over a 2 lap "runner friendly" course, starting and finishing at the Penventon Park Hotel at Redruth. Long gone are the infamous hills associated with the Duchy of years gone by. This new course is best described as "gently undulating", with the first real drag around the 7 mile mark, (and 19 mile mark on the second lap ), and then a bit of a climb around the 9 mile mark, ( and 21 mile mark on the second lap ). The race also incorporates Round 3 of the Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre Grand Prix Series. The race starts at 10 30 am, and any late entries will be accepted on the day from 8 am onwards. At this moment, Sunday evening, 144 entries have so far been received, details below.
Also starting at the same time will be the Duchy 20 mile run, offering an ideal training run for anyone preparing for a spring marathon. This comprises of the same opening 13 or so miles of the marathon, but runners then do a half mile "out and back " stretch, and join in again with the marathon runners. Around the 15.5 mile mark, they then take a "short cut" and re join the marathon course at the 22mile mark, and then proceed to the finish. 

MOUNTS BAY 10K

 

The second race in this years Sandy Hill Physical Therapy Centre sponsored grand prix series takes place this weekend, February 5th, when the Hayle Runners hold their Mounts Bay 10k road race. As is likely to happen on several ocassions this year, the race limit has already been reached a couple of weeks before race day, and whatever happens ,there will be a strict "no entries on the day" rule enforced.
Organiser Craig Tonkin explained to me that when setting the 350 limit he is banking on around  10% of all entries not turning up on the day, as in reality , the race infrastructure can only cope safely with around 320 runners.
The race starts at 11 am from the Marazion Community Centre, the directions for which will be sign posted well in advance of your destination.
 

BLAYTHORNE 10 - 15th January 2006

RACE PREVIEW

Just two weeks into the New Year, and of we go again. This weekend, Sunday Jan 15th and the first Grand Prix race of the year.

Its the Blaythorne 10 mile race at Camborne, or more precisely at the Blaythorne Sports and Social Club.
Up until Tuesday, around 150 entries have been received, see below, and no doubt thee are still a few more to come yet.
At the moment, none of the "big guns" among the male elite in the County have entered, so may be one or two are concentrating on the County Cross Country Champs taking place at Newquay on Saturday.
But thats certainly not the case with the ladies, with both of our two superstars Sharon Coyne and Revis Crowle among the entries. And then, should either of these be off colour, then Helen Pearson, once again preparing for the  London, may be strong enough to take advantage. 
The race starts at 11 o.clock, so be there in good time, as parking will be at a premium.
See you there .  PRS.