Race Reviews

RACE REVIEWS
by Pete Sargent (Newquay Road Runners)

TREGGY 7 - 3rd September 2006

The first Treggy 7 mile race, organised by the Launceston Road Runners resulted in an excellent "win double" for Cornwall A.C.

First home in the mens race, with a huge winning margin was Oliver Shilston, with Newquay's Ken Walker in second, and Mike Semmens in the Green and White of Hayle in third.

Oliver also had the pleasure of leading his team to a convincing win in the men's team competition, and cementing their position at the top of the Grand Prix Series competition.

In the ladies race, Zelah Morrall romped home around half a minute clear of Kensa Rescorla - Carn Runners, and East Cornwall Harriers, Sharon Daw in third.

General concensus after the race was that everyone enjoyed it, even that hill at 5 miles, and that the L.R.R. had done an excellent job with organising their first ever race.

INDIAN QUEENS HALF MARATHON - 6th August 2006

The 24th running of the Indian Queens Half marathon saw yet another record entry for a Cornish Grand Prix race in 2006.

Around 330 entries were received, some 60 upon last years figure, which in itself was a record entry.

The race resulted in an all the way win for Cornwall A.C.s Noel Kindon. He had edged into a clear lead around the one mile mark, and on reaching the Port and Starboard just short of mile 2 was already 100 metres clear of Newquays Shaun Milford, who in turn was around 100 metres clear of the rest. On the first real climb on the course at 6 miles, Welshman Clive West caught and passed Milford, and that was the order they finished in.

In the ladies race, there was a storming run from Juliet Knowles of the Carn Runners, whose winning time of 94mins 18secs was a personal best for her. Second home was the evergreen Jenny Mills, with Hayles Linda Dawe in third.

Jenny also came out joint winner in the age graded results, recording 81%, the same has her fellow Launceston vet, Brian Wiles.

Some Race Photographs

Results Age Graded Results

TYWARDREATH TROTTER REVIEW. - 29th July 2006

On a very wet and miserable afternoon, there was an excellent turn out of around 150 runners for the first ever Tywardreath Trotter, a 6 mile multi terrain race based a couple of miles up the lanes from Par .

After the race, most of the runners were full of praise for the course and scenery, and how much they had enjoyed it. Organiser Matt Ward later confirmed that the event would take place again next year on the corresponding day, so its definitely one to put in your diary.

The race was won by Robert Prady, ex Falmouth boy, but now living and working in Reading. He finished ahead of the Newquay duo of Darren Varker and James Youlden.First lady home was Lynette Porter representing the Bitton R.R. She finished well clear of Carns Janet Ritchie and Sue Hewings from Newton Abbott.

If you care to follow the link on www.tywardreathtrotter.co.uk there is an excellent set of photos for viewing, compliments of Matts dad, Andy, and available to purchase at an extremely cheap price.

SOME RACE PHOTOGRAPHS

MAGNIFICENT 7 - 16th July 2006

In a very close and hard fought ladies race, just nine seconds seperated the first three, Sharon Coyne repeated her victory of last year, coming home in a time of 24-22, with Zelah Morrall second in 24-26, and Jo Friday third in 24-31.

STICKER 5 - 24th June 2006

Daniel Simons of Cornwall Athletic Club showed just how much he enjoys the hills around Sticker last weekend , as he romped home to his fourth consecutive win over this demanding five mile course.

After leading for the majority of the way, Simons crossed the finishing line almost a minute clear of his team mate Tony Dunn, with the East Cornwall Harriers youngster Adam Holland almost a further minute back.

In a very competitive battle for the team honours, the overall strength in depth saw the Newquay Road Runners top six just getting the better of Cornwall Athletic Club.

In the ladies race, there was an exceptionally fine run from the Tamar Trotters veteran Anne Luke. Her winning time of 31mins 36 secs will undoubtedly be rewarded with a very high position in her 45 to 49 year age group in the end of year national rankings.

Second home was the much improved Jo Friday of Cornwall Athletic Club, and Sharon Daw in third.

With a record 315 runners in the main event and a further 123 youngsters taking part in the 1 mile fun run, the committee of the organisers,Sticker Football Club could not be anything but delighted with the turn out.

A spokesman for the club, Paul Bullock said afterwards, "We are all delighted with how the evening went, it was a huge success. We would like to thank everyone for all their hard work on the day, and also the many local business,s who have supported us."

CUBERT 5 RACE REVIEW - Tuesday 6th June 2006

Well, what a brilliant evening at Cubert on Tuesday. A lovely warm summer evening, a vibrant atmosphere, and a real buzz about the place. And everything so brilliantly organised by the Newquay Road Runners club alongside all those connected with the village school , which hosted the event.

The evening kicked off at 6 pm when an incredible 250 youngsters of all ages took part in the 1 mile fun run.

Ninety minutes later,with the pavements packed with enthusiastic crowds, an even more incredible 412 set out from the village square for the 5 mile race. Half way through the race, the runners find themselves back by the school, with the large crowds again encouraging them, and the back ground of disco music to help them up the only real incline of the race.

No sooner had the majority of the runners gone through,than the race leader re-appeared. This year an official road closure ensured that the whole of the road could be utilised for the finishing straight to the benefit of both the runners and the many spectators.

First home was Noel Kindon of Cornwall Athletic Club, followed by his team mate Ollie Shilston, and the "quicker vicar", representing the Hayle Runners, Chris McQuillen -Wright. Cornwall A.C. took the mens team prize, with the Hayle Runners more than delighted to pip their near neighbours Mounts Bay Harriers for the runners up spot. Hayle incidentally fielded no fewer than 67 members on the night, an all time record turnout from any one club.

In the ladies race, the honours went to Tamar Trotters Dinah Cheverton. She finished around half a minute clear of the Cornwall A.C.duo of Zelah Morrell and Jo Friday, (more recognisable as Jo Glasson). The ladies team prize went to the Carn Runners, who finished just 2 points clear of C.A.C., with East Cornwall Harriers in 3rd.

AN RESEK HELLYS - 9th APRIL 2006

The 5th An Resek Hellys race at Helston resulted in records all the way.

On a cold, windy, but mainly sunny day, a record 320 runners set out on this undulating multi terrain race, over what is now generally agreed is probably a shade under 10 miles. But with a fair old slog across the beach, it is also generally agreed that its worth at least ten and a wee bit.

Both the mens and ladies races saw superb performances from the winners.

Danny Simons of Cornwall Athletic Club confirmed that his London preparations have gone well, as he stormed to an all the way win in an excellent time of 52 minutes 39 seconds . This was over 2 minutes inside the course record time set by Dannys team mate Dave Buzza, who on this occasion had to settle for 3rd place, with Tony Dunn separating them.

With six runners in the first eleven home, CAC ran out easy winners of the mens team prize.

There was an equally emphatic performance in the ladies race,where Truros Anna Loveless smashed the ladies course record time, and finishing well clear of Zelah Morrall and Sharon Daw. The ladies team prize went to Carn Runners.

TAUNTON HALF MARATHON (including South West Region Inter County Championships)

2nd April 2006

Despite the absence of several of the Countys top runners, there was nevertheless an excellent performance from those runners who did don the black and gold vest in the second Inter County Challenge raced over 13.1 miles at Taunton.

Both the mens and ladies teams finished in second place behind a very strong representation from Devon.

Although the conditions were from ideal, with strong headwinds buffeting the runners for much of the outward half, there was still a sprinkling of PBs recorded, with perhaps Truros Anna Loveless being the star performer on the day.

Competing in only her second ever half, Anna finished in third position amongst the ladies, in a personal best time of 81 mins 51 secs, and almost half a minute quicker than her debut half at Bideford last month.

In the Mens team, there were PB,s for Kevin Sharp- Newquay R.R. who finished in 12th place in 76mins 12secs, Chris McQuillen-Wright, Hayle Runners, 15th in 77-02, and Peter Hillman, Carn Runers 19th in 77-42. The other members of the 8 man team were 7th Noel Kindon Cornwall A.C. 75-01, 18th.Glynn Davis Carn Runners 77-40, 23rd.Jason Pascoe Cornwall A.C. 78-15, 29th.Darren Gordon Kernow Runners 79-28, and 39th.Shaun Milford Newquay R.R. 81-19

In the ladies race, next home after Anna was Zelah Morrall, Cornwall A.C. in 85mins , followed by Anne Luke, Tamar Trotters in 86-26, Sharon Daw, East Cornwall Harriers 87-47, Donna Hillman Carn Runners 91-03, and Janet Ritchie Carn Runners 91-55.

DUCHY MARATHON 12-03-06

Well, what a day that was for running a marathon.As Alan Rowling said at the presentation, "the longer the race went on, the colder it got, the wetter it got, and the windier it got." So before a few words on who won etc and how the race went, a huge vote of thanks should go to all concerned on the day, for putting the event on.

Whilst most people were just waking up, Dave Buzza and his gang were out setting the course up together with the start and finish area. And then, after the race, everything needs collecting in again. Anyone that has been involved in doing just that, knows that that it isn't a 5 minute job.

And now to the marshals and those manning the drinks stations etc.It was bad enough being out there running for anything between 2 and 6 hours, but just standing in one spot in those conditions for up to 6 hours, well, they were all heroes, everyone of them.

A few years ago, C.A.C. were heavily criticised for their organisation of the marathon, especially with their lack of marshals etc, and quite rightly so. Nowadays they have thoroughly got their act together, (I believe around 60 marshals were on duty ), and are putting on a really good event. Don't forget just 5 or so years ago, around 30 odd runners weaved their way in and out of the traffic down the road from the start to the Barncoose roundabout. On Sunday over 300 runners stretched out down the road, with all traffic brought to a halt for a few minutes. And for those further back in the field, what a magnificent sight it was.

And finally while handing out the plaudits, what magnificent support provided by all concerned at the Penventon Park Hotel, with the ballroom being a perfect location for registration, results and refreshments etc.not to mention the bedrooms made available for post race relief !! Well done PV.

Anyhow, onto the race itself, and for once it is nice to report that the major honours went to local runners Bob Brown and Zelah Morrall. Bob is more renowned for running across continents rather than a mere marathon, but nevertheless ran an excellently judged race to claim victory in the final mile. Earlier Glyn Davis -Carn Runners- found himself in the lead and running comfortable, but more than half a minute a mile quicker than he planned. By the 20 mile mark though, he started to pay for it as Newquay's Shaun Milford stormed into the lead. Some will remember that Shaun was the very first Cornish runner to win a Duchy Marathon, and he was hoping to celebrate the 15th anniversary of that victory in this, the 30th running of the event. With a mile to go though, he was caught by Bob and was unable to respond, but as he pointed out afterwards his main target was the London Marathon and he hadn't eased off at all prior to the Duchy, and he is getting older now !!

Congratulations in the Ladies race go to Zelah Morrall, who led all the way and knocking around 7 minutes off the course record time. Some might say Zelah had waited a long time for this title, as some may recall Zelah Lewis, as she was known then, won the 1995 Duchy, but was subsequently disqualified for being "paced" by a friend who hadn't even entered the race. Zelah incidentally only entered on the morning, and although doing the London next month, had only 2 two hour runs under her belt. So much for those, including myself , who always claim that you need long long runs under the belt to do a good marathon.

And also a quick mention for Sharon Daw in second place, who was also inside the old course record.

So to sum up, well done to EVERYONE who ran, and well done to the organisers.

Mounts Bay 10K 2006

The major honours in this years race went to Newquay Road Runners Kevin Sharpe, in the Mens race, and Revis Crowle in the Ladies.

Competing in his first race since the Dublin Marathon last October, Ronnie set off with the intention of leading all the way, and onto victory. For the best part of 5 miles, these tactics look to be correct, as he build up quite a lead. However that little bit of race fitness was, understandably, still missing.

With just over a mile to go, Kevin was on Ronnies shoulder, but was content to let him continue to set the pace.However , on the long climb to the finish, Kevin proved to be much the sharper, as he powered away, with Ronnie unable to respond.

After the race, both were highly delighted with their performances, Kevin because he had won and also got a PB, and Ronnie, because he was just glad to be back again and up the front battling away.

The mens team prize went to a much strengthened Newquay squad, who finished well clear of a much weakened C.A.C. squad.

Dismay down at Hayle though, where captain Craig Tonkin saw his boys beaten into third place by their local rivals Mounts Bay Harriers.

In the ladies race, Revis Crowle of the East Cornwall Harriers led all the way, and after a 60 mile training week, was still only a few seconds slower than her winning time in 2005. There were also excellent runs from the Cornwall A.C. duo Zelah Morrall and Jo Glasson. Hopefully the coming months will see some very interesting races amongst the ladies.