Helen T, Pete Drew, Janet Ritchie, Barry Drew and Dennis Burrell tackled the 6+ miles of tracks, mud and fields. 

Well Done, guys. 

HELEN reports:

"I was quite determined to do this race this year having been ruled out in past years due to injury and illness so set off on Sat night (a tad late it must be said due to the exploits of Wiggins et al on the Ventoux) to find Tywardreath.  After negotiating St Austell and Par and realising it was a lot further east than I had allowed for I came across swathes of running attired people (to be replaced by swathes of tired people about 90 mins later!) and a well placed race HQ next to the pub.

Registration was super efficient, the most taxing element being having to remember not to tell Pete and Jan the outcome of the cycling as they were recording it!  Located the rest of the Carn contingent being 3 Drews, Denis and Janet.  Made sure the team were aware of the Sargeants' recording habits so as not to be unpopular and get reclassified as an over 60 or something. Carole was not running due to the course being muddy but I swear I could hear her as I went round as thou she was right beside me.

The run starts by looping round a bungalow estate (heavens knows what the residents must think!) and then its off into the wild countryside (but no cows I promise!) we were quickly (ish) going down hill and along some utterly spectacular muddy bits.  Several hills, fields and country lanes later ok, I never could do descriptive writing, we need Steve for that!) we were back along side the river and even muddier sections (good call Carole!).  Having not done the course before I had looked at the profile and spotted the haute category climbs at 3 and 6 miles, but decided not to hold too much back for the 6 miler on the basis that I'd be shattered by then anyway so might as well just plod on.  ARGH! Note for next year, the hill at 6 is steeper than the one at 3 and you have the added disadvantage of shoes that weigh a lot more than any running shoe ever should as a result of aforementioned muddy bit.

Having hauled myself up (thanks to the chap in the red vest who was sweet enough to ask if I was ok as he overtook me, sorry about scaring you with my breathing pattern!) I was quite enjoying the run down, believing the marshalls when they said hard bit over and kidding myself that I must be nearly back in the village by now and would soon be met by hoards of screaming fans (well,Carole).  When suddenly we were diverted up a flight of stone steps for a few laps of a cut corn field, all I can say is thank goodness for the rail up the side otherwise the pictures of me would have been even worse than those taken by the official photographer (aka the race director's dad!), nothing like a field and a few sharp turns to break the rhythm when you are on your last legs.  Still, I was inspired by the exploits of the tour riders that afternoon and consoling myself that they had probably climbed a tad further than me ( and I didnt have to cycle to Paris, or even the Hayle tri for that matter, the following day).

Finally we emerged from a narrow path onto the main road for a quick sprint down (and then up, amazingly!) to the finish.

Had hardly had time to grab a drink when Peter and Janet were in with Barry and Denis close behind.  Everyone seemed to have had an excellent time but were still jolly glad it was all over.

All in all a really good off road (mostly) run with good support out around the course and well organised, definately on the to-do list for next year and maybe a few more of us can find our way up next year, although that would of course ruin the title to my article as I dont think Enid Blyton ever did anything about the Famous 34!"

Helen