Mark Dorrell, Tim Rowe (below) and George Williams (above) were also present on the start line.
We only needed one more with sub 90 minute potential and we were in business.

Sadly, it was not to be.  Things were so close and with Steve Phillips running but still recovering from his Ultra it was a case of what might have been.

With well in excess of 500 runners already entered, the 27th ‘Queens’ was following other GP races and setting another entries record.

Just because it’s a summer half marathon that doesn’t mean that the runners bother with a steady first mile.  They go as mad as they do down the downhill first mile at Blaythorne back in January!!  Or even the Turkey Trot for that matter!
I told Carol to hold back in the first mile and that an 11 minute mile would suffice just to get going.  As it turned out she sort of took my advice but had to run a 9:52 to avoid being the last runner!!

Most of our runners told the same post-race story. “5:19 and hanging”. “I wanted to break 1:40, so a 7:04 was perhaps too quick”.
They can be excused as the whole field was probably dragged off way too quick by the eventual winner.  An out-of-county boy.  Believe me when I tell you that he looked like he was jogging.  No word of a lie.  Same at 1 mile as at the 12th.  You have to wonder what time he’d have produced if he’d been racing!

Our boys were soon starting to appear and then disappearing up towards the finish.  I counted out the first five then waited to see who’d be number six.

Our next runner was yet another Carn ‘Classic Quarter’ legend.  Our first lady in the race, Karen H who was on her way to secure 2nd place in her age group.

Steve ‘the Full Quarter’ Phillips had worked his way up through the field after a very ‘sensible’ start in his quest to get his legs back to normal.

Helen T suffered here last year but this year she made amends and continued her good recent run of form.

Along with Helen, Pete Drew has enjoyed being first Carnie home in recent races but today he had to hand that honour back over to ‘The Saw’ as despite Pete delivering another great run, Paul had the ‘cutting edge’ on the day (groan).

Dave Mounter was looking awesome again as he came up that last mile.  There’s no stopping him!

Before today, Nigel Tomlinson’s PB for a half was 2:04.  He’d never broken two hours (well, obviously, Chris!).  Needless to say that his time of 1:55 had him smiling all the way back to the car park and beyond.

Olivia Pellow had a good bit of support with her and they even joined her towards the finish as she completed a terrific run.

Sandy Jamieson was unlucky not to break the 2 hour mark and everyone was remarking on what a great run she must have had.  Keep up that training, Sandy.  2 hours is living on borrowed time.

Despite still carrying a niggle from his Kiwi marathon, Steve Marks was determined to help wifey Wendy and Glynis have a go at the 2 hours.  They were also unlucky on the day and there’s a whole host of Carnies now in search of that Holy Grail of 1:59:59.9.

I thought the run of the day was by Judy Jameson.  As we’ve banged on about for ages, she’s taken a long time to get over London.  Today she ‘buried her horse’(?) and powered around the course with no sign of weakness.  Fellow Helston-ite Diane P used all of that endurance gained from triathlon to good use with a solid half marathon run.

I’ll be saying the same about Laura soon.  Keep the faith, girl.  Your time will come.  Just as I watched runners limping away from today’s race (Welcome to my world!), we’ll be taking over from those whose time it is to suffer soon.  That’s the law of running!

Those Cheeky Culley Girls were at it again and going from strength to strength with their family duel.  Lizzy’s learning some of Ma Carol’s long distance tips and is now going well over the half marathon.

In 2006, Carol Garrett dabbled with a bit of running, did the odd race or two, got injured and rounded it off (and herself, nearly) by doing the Bristol Half in 3:06.  Never again.
Never say never.  A couple of years later and she’s racking up her 8th GP qualifier of the year with her second half marathon.  This time though she was doing it 40 minutes faster!
A feat made even more awesome by the fact that she was in agony from visiting one of Saddam Hussain’s former henchmen at an undisclosed ‘Dentist’ in Camborne recently.  Andy McNab, you had it easy!!

Carole Drew rounded off the spirit of the day with a performance that every runner can learn from.  Her ‘Never Say Die’ attitude would put many ‘elite’ runners to shame.
She was cheered and escorted to the line by proud clubmates. Good on ya, Carole.

Two of our runners featured in the trophy presentations with Karen and Hodgey both picking up trophies for second place in their respective age groups.

Great runs today and thanks to those who came and supported.

A final word for a couple of our girls.  First to Julie ‘Knightsy’ who’s brave attempt to run her first half marathon with severe shin splints ended at 5 miles.  Sometimes a packet of Nurofen just ain’t enough.  The great Tom Simpson once said “If it takes 10 to kill you, I’ll have 9”.  I think you need to rest, Jules!
And to Debbie Hocking who was there supporting again (on crutches!), Good Luck with the MRI and thanks for the support today.  Thanks as well to Linda S and Pete Hillman (the missing '6th Man'?) who were there to cheer our runners around 13.1 miles.

Photos to come (I even managed some in focus this week!!!)…..