Runners from far afield must have already been on the road as work began setting up the race at Blaythorne.  The first runner was there at 8.30 which is the sign of race entries this year.  They’ll be camped out all night soon to get a race entry in case it’s a sell out.
Not an issue at Blaythorne – we’ll take anyone!!

Any road up, by the time registration closed at 10.15 there had been 446 entries!
Blaythorne was buzzing.  The finishing touches were made and even the idiots building the finish scaffolding had managed to erect something that was halfway safe without killing themselves!

And so it was off to the start where 413 runners lined up, a record entry for the Blaythorne 10.  At 11am prompt they were all on their way.
After the fast opening downhill mile to Barripper the first bit of uphill faced the runners.
Looking up that hill as the runners had passed, the marshalls at Barripper had a view similar to that of Wembley Way on FA Cup Final day.  A massive crowd of people surging up the entire width of the road towards Carnhell Green.

By Carnhell Green the field was thinning out a bit.  The leading trio of Matt Pullen (404), Dave Buzza (44) and Shaun Milford (hidden) were still locked in a close battle..

Down the dip and up the hill into Leedstown and it was then all flat and downhill back to Barripper and the 9 mile mark.

By this time the marshalls were well into their Cornish pasties thanks to Laura, Charlotte and Zoe’s delivery service.

First up the hill out of Barripper was CAC’s Matt Pullen closely followed by Shaun Milford of Newquay RR.  A minute later and there was the lonely figure of Dave Buzza playing a Captain’s role for his team despite aiming for next week’s SEAA Cross Country at Parliament Hill.

First Lady was Jo Friday (CAC) who must have been in the top 10 (I lost count as my pasty needed some serious destroying!).
Our first runner and second Lady was Paula (below) who was having a great run. 

 Just behind and 3rd Lady was Juliet (below) who was 3 minutes up on her previous best 10 mile time.

The runners kept on coming and coming (one pasty would never be enough to get me through the entire field!).

Our webmaster himself, tucking in.

A steady stream of Carnies all having good runs filed past.  Over the road, Carol was firing away with the camera and surely catching some ‘beauties’.
Having given Ceri some advice on her marathon training, I was stunned to flick through the photos on my Laptop and find she’s not managed to shake off that ‘facial’. 

 The true secret is that it’s no good running fast if you can’t look stunning doing it!  More posing, less grunting my girl!

Check Carole Drew out!  Race number?  No.1.  She wasn’t happy when it was pointed out.  “Embarrassing” she growled.  Well, you’re number one in our books, Carole.  Absolutely!

After the final runners passed we marshalls followed them up through Penponds and up Fore Street.  People were out of their houses and cheering the runners up the road.  How good was that?  That’s a tough part of the course and support was most welcome.  The support in Fore Street, Penponds for the Blaythorne 10 keeps you going just like the crowds along the Embankment in the final stages of the London Marathon!!  (Journalistic licence).  Cheers all you Fore Streeters. More of the same next year!!

Suprisingly, CAC won the Men’s team race.  Paula, Juliet, Kensa and Janet secured the Ladies team trophy for Carn Runners.

Runners World were at the race to photograph Ceri for the cover of next month’s issue.  Due to ‘circumstances beyond their control’ they had to ‘re-focus’ their efforts and report on the race instead (am I in trouble, or what?).

Another great Blaythorne.  A fantastic effort expertly led by Denise (you can sleep soundly tonight, it’s over).  A massive THANKS to all those who got stuck in and made it a success.

Cheers to all you runners who made our race a success.  Hope it was good for you.

C’mon the Carn!!!

Results are in the Grand Prix section of this site.

More photos in the gallery.