Race Reviews

RACE REVIEWS
by Pete Sargent (Newquay Road Runners)

PROBUS 10K RACE REVIEW.

Cornwall AC veteran Tony Dunn overcame the hills surrounding Probus and the very warm sunny conditions to record a convincing win in this low key village race. Second place went to the steadily improving Sam Hill representing the Mounts Bay Harriers, with his team mate Peter Le Grice in third.

The mens team prize went to the Newquay Road Runners.

There was an equally convincing win in the ladies race by Jenny Almey, who led all the way and finished well clear of Lisa Wotton-St Austell RC- in second and Taryn Montgomery-Smith-Truro RC in third.

The ladies team prize went to St Austell RC

There were 123 finishers

TREGGY 7 RACE REVIEW.

Kevin Toher of the Newquay Road Runners recorded his first ever Grand Prix victory when romping home a clear winner of this undulating 7 miler. Second place went to Cornwall AC veteran Dave Buzza, with Hayles Pete Ellis in third.

After a fairly steady opening mile, around half a dozen runners were packed together, including Toher and Buzza, with Ellis some 20 metres adrift of the leading pack.

A mile or so later however, Toher had taken control, with Buzza some way back in second.

On reaching the brow of the long severe climb approaching the 5 mile mark, Toher was around a minute clear of Buzza, with Ellis having moved through the field into third.

Despite a really sustained push right to the end, Toher failed by just 3 seconds to break the course record and claim the £50 bonus on offer, and said afterwards, " I knew exactly what the record time was and gave it everything. All the way up the finishing straight, I could see the clock ticking down, but it wasn’t to be, but it was still great to win the race"

The mens team prize went to Cornwall AC with Newquay RR second and Mounts Bay Harriers in third.

In the ladies race, Emma Stallard led from to gun to tape to record a fairly comfortable victory. There was a good battle for second place though between Suzy Bosustow and Lucy Kelvey. Suzy set the early pace, but on the long steep downhill section, Lucy stormed past her and then managed to hold off a determined challenge from Suzy right to the end.

The ladies team prize went to Cornwall AC with East Cornwall Harriers second and Newquay RR in third.

ST LEVAN 10K RACE REVIEW.

Adrian Mussett representing Colchester Harriers rounded off his fortnights holiday in the Duchy with a very comfortable win in the St Levan 10k. A couple of weeks ago, he romped home to an equally easy victory in the Indian Queens Half Marathon. Second place went to local star Noel Kindon-Cornwall AC, returning after a four month lay off due to injury, with another visitor to the County, Stewart Gregory from Nottingham in third.

The mens team prize went to Mounts Bay Harriers.

Victory in the ladies race went to Ami Yetton-Plymouth Harriers, who had also finished on the podium at Queens, this time in third place. Second place went to Juliet Knowles-Cornwall AC with her team mate Jenny Almey in third.

The ladies team prize also went to Mounts Bay Harriers.

There were 201 finishers.

INDIAN QUEENS HALF MARATHON RACE REVIEW.

Adrian Mussett, representing Colchester Harriers proved far too quick for everyone in the 27^th running of the Indian Queens Half Marathon, coming home alone over a minute clear of his nearest rival.

As the runners completed the opening two and a half mile section on the roads before heading onto the trails across the Goss Moor, Mussett shared the lead with Tavistock AC runner Jim Cole, with Dave Buzza around 20 metres adrift in third, and Kevin Toher, making his debut for the Newquay Road Runners a further 20 metres behind in fourth.

However it was not too long before Mussatt gradually eased away and from thereonin was never threatened. Meanwhile, by the ten mile mark, Toher had gradually worked himself up into second spot, relegating Cole into third.

The mens team prize went to Cornwall AC, ahead of Newquay RR and Mounts Bay Harriers.

In the ladies race, Emma Stallard, Cornwall AC just had the edge over a couple of visitors from outside the County, finishing just over a minute clear of Robyn Golding-Westbury Harriers and Ami Yetton- Plymouth Harriers.

The ladies team prize went to Cornwall AC ahead of Hayle Runners and St Austell RC.

A record 530 runners started the race.

Tywardreath Trotter Race Review

Posted 25/07/2009

Kevin Toher was in top form tonight when winning the 4^th Tywardreath Trotter, a near 7 mile multi terrain run overlooking St Austell Bay.

Kevin, who lives within a stones throw of the course, took control of the race from the off, and then went on to win in a new course record time, smashing the old record by over two and a half minutes.

Second place went to a visitor to the County, Steve Littler – representing Wesham – who was almost a full minute inside the old record, with Newquay Road Runner Peter Devenport in third.

The mens team prize went to the Newquay Road Runners ahead of the St Austell "a" and "b" teams.

In the ladies race, Sharon Daw – East Cornwall Harriers – finished almost four minutes clear of her nearest rival, Liz Lusty – St Austell R.C. – with Steph Martin – Newquay R.R. in third.

The ladies team prize went to the Newquay R.R. who finished just 3 points clear of St Austell R.C.

Magnificent 7 Race Review.

It was a magnificent day for Cornwall AC in todays Magnificent 7 race at Saltash, where both the top individual and team honours went to the Carn Brea based club.

In the mens race, their evergreen veteran Dave Buzza came out on top in his now annual battle in this race with Tavistocks Jim Cole. In 2007, Dave got the better of Jim, whilst last year, Jim gained revenge and edged out Dave. In the early stages today, it appeared that Jim had the edge again, as he reached the top of the long steep climb at one and a half miles 10 metres or so clear of Dave. Shortly after the two mile mark though, Dave caught Jim and both were then joined by Hayles Peter Ellis. After a bit of sparring, Buzza then gradually eased away from these two, eventually coming home almost a minute clear of Cole, with Ellis just behind in third.

The mens team title went to Cornwall AC ahead of Tamar Trotters and Newquay RR.

There was a similar exchange of top honours in the ladies race. Last year had seen East Cornwall Harrier Revis Crowle gaining the upper hand over Emma Stallard – CAC. Today though, she too gained sweet revenge to claim top spot, with Revis second, and Suzy Bosustow – CAC- repeating her third place of last year.

The ladies team title went to CAC ahead of Tamar Trotters and St Austell RC.

BROOKS SUMMER TURKEY TROT RACE REVIEW.

There was a dramatic finish to this years Brooks Summer Turkey Trot when Newquays Ollie Gibson gifted victory to Tim Wallace representing the race sponsors Brooks.

With less than 50 metres to go, Ollie held a 10 metre lead and looked home and dry. However, he was not aware that his lead was being quickly run down by the chasing Wallace, who timed his effort to perfection to clinch victory on the line, with both runners being credited with the same time.

The opening stages of the race had seen the lead change on a couple of occasions, before Ollie took control just after half way, leaving Wallace trailing behind, with Dave Buzza a distant third. And that’s how it remained until the finishing line.

Afterwards a distraught Ollie explained that he didn’t even realise there was any threat to his victory until the final few metres, and it was then too late for him to react.

The men’s team prize went to Newquay RR ahead of Cornwall AC and East Cornwall Harriers.

In the ladies race, there was a sensational performance from Cornish youngster Katie Knowles, now representing Bristol & West A.C. She finished in 20th position overall, and breaking the ladies course record time by seventy seconds. Second place went to the host clubs Emma Stallard, with Revis Crowle – East Cornwall Harriers in third.

The ladies team prize went to Cornwall AC, ahead of East Cornwall Harriers and Newquay RR.

Launceston Half Marathon Race Review

Posted 05/07/2009

Four weeks after taking the Cubert 5 title, Jim Cole of Tavistock A.C. showed again just how much he enjoys racing in Cornwall when recording a fairly untroubled victory in this very hilly half marathon.

Cole led right from the off and gradually eased away from the rest to break the tape a shade over half a minute clear of his nearest rival.

The battle for second place looked done and dusted at the top of the long climb back into the town and with less than a mile to go. Newquay’s Shaun Milford appeared well in control, with Hayles Pete Ellis and Kevin Toher – Newquay & Par- battling it out a fair way behind for third place. However, with neither of these two willing to give an inch, slowly but surely they closed Milford down. Approaching the final climb to the finish, first Ellis and then Toher both caught and passed Milford, who was then unable to respond. Over the final quarter of a mile, Ellis then gradually eased away from Toher to record a very hard-earned second place.

The mens team prize went to Newquay RR ahead of Launceston RR and St Austell RC.

In the ladies race, Suzy Bosustow- CAC- finally gained the upper hand over her club mate Emma Stallard. For the past eighteen months or so, Suzy has regularly finished less than a minute behind Emma in all their races, but just could not get the better of her closest rival. However on the fast downhill stretch approaching the ten mile point, Suzy stormed past her rival and then managed to hang on to the finish. Amazingly 12 months ago, Suzy finished in 26th place overall, just one place behind Emma. Today, she again finished in 26th place, but this time just one place in front of Emma.

Third place went to previous race winner Heather Foundling-Hawker from Honiton, who was still feeling the after effects of a recent Ultra Marathon.

The ladies team prize went to Cornwall AC, who had four of the first five ladies home, ahead of Hayle Runners and St Austell R.C.

For the fourth consecutive year, there was a new record high number of finishers, with all 371 starters completing the course this year.

STICKER 5 RACE REVIEW

The Sticker 5 mile race, which saw a record 500 runners start the race, turned out to be a battle of the two Ollies, last years winner Ollie Gibson of Newquay Road Runners and Ollie Shilston of Cornwall A.C.

For the opening couple of miles it was these two who set the pace alongside Matt Cleave, also Cornwall A.C. Matt though was the first to pay the price, and then around the three mile mark, Ollie Shilston gradually gained the upper hand over Ollie Gibson, before going on to record a very convincing victory.

Breaking the tape, Ollie S. had built up a 21 second winning margin over Ollie G, with Matt a further 23 seconds adrift.

In the battle for the mens team title, Cornwall AC finished well clear of Newquay RR. in second place, and East Cornwall Harriers, with five of their six man team all under 20, in third.

Two weeks ago at Cubert, Emma Stallard, Cornwall AC, was narrowly beaten into fourth place by Revis Crowle – ECH., Bethany Alston – CAC and Lucy Kelvey – NRR. After that race she claimed that she had not recovered from her London Marathon run, and confirmed that tonight by showing all three a clean pair of heels. Improving on her Cubert time by almost half a minute, she finished 17 secionds clear of Kensa Rescorla in second place, with Revis in third and Lucy fourth.

The ladies team prize went to Cornwall AC, ahead of St Austell R.C. and N.R.R.

AN RESEK HELLYS RACE REVIEW.

Noel Kindon of Cornwall A.C. made a successful return to racing in the Duchy when romping home a convincing winner of this 10 mile or so Multi-Terrain run. Second place went to Newquays Peter Devenport on his first competitive outing of the year, with his team mate Shaun Milford in third.

Honours in the mens team competition went to Cornwall A.C., ahead of Newquay Road Runners and Hayle Runners.

In the ladies race, Emma Stallard again just had the edge over her ever improving Cornwall A.C. team mate Suzy Bosustow, with East Cornwall Harriers Sharon Daw in third.

Honours in a very close ladies team competition went to Cornwall A.C. ahead of St Austell R.C. and Hayle Runners.

414 runners completed the course.

DUCHY MARATHON RACE REVIEW.

Gale force winds, driving rain and hail failed to dampen the spirits of the 400 plus runners who took part in today’s 33^rd Duchy Marathon and the accompanying 20 mile run.

In the marathon, last years winner and hot pre race favourite Ollie Gibson – Newquay Road Runners – was well on his way to retaining his title as he built up a huge lead. Unfortunately though, earlier in the week, Ollie had suffered a knee ligament injury, which flared up again around the 9-mile mark. Rather than risk causing further damage, a very disappointed Ollie decided to call it a day.

This allowed Chris Ledgard - Great West Runners – and a former Cornish based runner, to take over the lead, and go on to record an easy win. Second place went to Ian Hobley, representing the VOTWO.CO.UK club. He had made a very conservative start, and for much of the first lap was placed down in the 20,s, but by mile 15 had moved through the field to claim second place.

Third place went to the Honiton based ultra marathon star Heather Foundling-Hawker, who also used her great experience to gradually move through the field and record a very comfortable win in the ladies race.

Second place went to Elaine Laver – Reading Road Runners – with East Cornwall Harriers Diane Roy getting the better of Hayles’ Jayne Angilley after a race long battle for place.

In the team competitions, St Austell Running Club retained their men’s title ahead of the Hayle "a" and "b" teams, whilst in the ladies section, Hayle came out on top, ahead of near neighbours Mounts Bay Harriers, with Hayle "b" in third place.

The race also saw two new world records set. On the individual front, Jordan Toy, representing the Exeter University Officer Training Corps, recorded a world best time for a member of the armed forces completing a marathon wearing full combat gear, including boots.

Meanwhile, 28 of his colleagues from Exeter were breaking the world record for the highest number of runners to complete a marathon, having run the whole distance "linked" together, beating the previous high of 24 set by the Metropolitan Police in last years London Marathon.

CORNWALL V DEVON PENINSULA CHALLENGE REVIEW.

Although four members of the six man squad recorded personal best times, Team Cornwall were well and truly beaten by their Devon counterparts in the latest Peninsula Challenge, which was again incorporated in the Plymouth Hoe 10 mile.

A very strong Devon team saw four of their team home before the first Cornish runner Matt Pullen, who had unfortunately lost a safe 4^th place when missing a turning in the closing stages.

Results. 5^th Matt Pullen Cornwall A.C. 53mins 51secs.

6^th Ollie Gibson Newquay Road Runners 53-59 PB.

9^th Tim Drew Mounts Bay Harriers 55-51 PB.

12^th Peter Ellis Hayle Runners 56-46 PB.

15^th Martin Exley Tavistock A.C. 58-06

16^th Rob Burnham Newquay Road Runners 58-15 PB.

In the ladies race, there was an outstanding performance from Team Cornwall, with all four representatives recording PB,s. With both teams finishing equal on points, victory went to the Duchy team on the basis of their aggregate times.

Results. 3^rd Emma Stallard Cornwall A.C. 62-09 PB.

4^th Anne Luke Tamar Trotters 62-25 PB.

5^th Kensa Rescorla U/A 63-00 PB.

6^th Suzy Bosustow Cornwall A.C. 63-20 PB.

MOUNTS BAY 10K RACE REVIEW

Dave Buzza of Cornwall A.C.was in top form today when winning the Mounts Bay 10k road race.

No fewer than 460 set off in bitterly cold conditions, and after the long downhill opening half mile, it was Newquays’ Ollie Gibson at the head of the field, with Buzza and team mate Matt Pullen in close attendance. On the first long climb, Ollie gradually opened up a 30 metre lead, only for Dave and Matt to close him down on the next downhill stretch.

Just after half way though, Dave took control of the race, although afterwards claimed "I didn’t go quicker, Ollie just slowed a bit" Shortly afterwards, Ollie then relinquished second spot to Matt. Dave though was never going to be beaten today, as he stormed up the final climb to the finish, chased hard by Ollie who had reclaimed his second place just before the bottom of the final climb.

Afterwards Dave said that he was just so pleased to actually win a race. His last GP victory came in the Newquay 10k in 2007, and in his nine GP races since then, had recorded no fewer than 7 second places, a third and a fifth.

Team honours went to Cornwall A.C.(a) ahead of Mounts Bay Harriers and Cornwall A.C.(b)

In the ladies race, there was another all the way win for Emma Stallard of Cornwall A.C. She finished just over a minute clear of the Tamar Trotters’ super vet Ann Luke, with East Cornwall Harrier Revis Crowle in third, and showing that slowly but surely she is now getting back close to her best.

Team honours went to Cornwall A.C. ahead of Hayle Runners and East Cornwall Harriers.