Luckily as the results show, all us Cornish boys and girls made it to the finish, some of us not in one piece!! Paul Gregg from Tamar Trotters made his way up in the morning snatching a lift with a few Devon runners, as for Stef Martin (NRR), she had family close by so made a weekend of it. This left Glyn, Chris Hodge, Paula Telford, Susie Bostustow (CAC) and myself to travel up on the Saturday to a hotel in Weymouth where we were going to have a good feed and an early night.

Well upon arriving at the hotel it was seen to be a bit dated with the residents still thinking it was 1907 not 2007! The hotel was originally a Pontins built in 1937 and unfortunately they had never employed decorators! My room was designed around an air raid shelter so at least if a bomb went off during the night I was still going to make it to the start line!
The fun really began at tea time, down we all trotted to the dining hall and MY GOD, it was Christmas Day! Trees and decorations up, Xmas music, male and female Santa’s, crackers and a four course Christmas dinner. It took me a while to except what was happening and during this time Glyn was through his starter and well into his main, With crackers pulled and hats on we soon got in the spirt of things even telling the cracker jokes (shocking!), Paula has a problem with Xmas pudding, its like a magnet to her mouth and well Glyn he must of started the race made of 80% ice cream!!
Hodgey, Susie and myself were still figuring out if we had stepped through a time portal, if we had Glyn and Paula were staying, I thought at one point Paula was going to cry she was so happy, my god that girl loves xmas and Glyn well food is that mans life very like Homer Simpson!!

Well heads went down that night after bingo and a bit of ballroom dancing and holly shit the weather went wild, by morning the wind was well god knows what strength, with driving rain and a nice air temperature of 3 degrees!!
We drove to the start and it was the day from hell, the start was a mile away from the changing facilities so you soon woke up.
The course was a cracker; quick with a little nip at the end, a p.b course for sure .Locals thought it was undulating with a monster hill at the end (they need to run in Cornwall!). Only one problem, the weather.
Times were not going to be quick, I can honestly say I have never run in such strong winds or cold driving rain. The target of the day was beat as many runners as you could and forget your time. This is what all the Cornwall members did male and female, Paul, myself, Glyn and Chris did our clubs and county proud as did Stef, Paula (p.b and 4th overall) and Susie (p.b by 2minutes). In these conditions finishing was an achievement.

At this point I have to say a massive thank you to the marshals and helpers who braved the horrific conditions to provide drinks and help where needed. Thank you again.
A great spirit was found in the Cornish team and I was proud to run alongside them all. I would just like to finish by saying HAPPY NEW YEAR to all that stayed at the Riveria hotel (Race day the hotel was celebrating New Year’s Day). Don’t ask!!! and they did give us a good rate £18 p.p included a four course evening meal, one cracker, a present , a nice hot double room and a full English or continental breakfast. Bargain!! P.S A big thank you to my mystery fan. They know who they are!!    

 Results:

Men's team:

Paul Gregg        Tamar Trotters          59:14

Pete Hillman       Carn Runners          59:18
Glynn Davies      Carn Runners          59:40
Chris Hodge       Carn Runners        1:02:44

Ladies Team:

Paula Telford           Carn Runners         1:04:15
Stephanie Martin      Newquay RR        1:07:34
Susie Bostustow      Cornwall A.C.       1:08:02

Overall County Team Results

Results
Men
1 Dorset 22 Points
2 Devon 23 Points
3 Gloucestershire 43 Points
4 Wiltshire 71 Points
5 Cornwall 85 Points
6 Somerset 101 Points

Ladies
1 Gloucestershire 13 Points
2 Dorset 27 points
3 Devon 28 Points
4 Wiltshire 29 points
5 Cornwall 34 points
6 Somerset 53 Points