On a pretty gorgeous day considering it was 25 October, 9 Carnies assembled at Redruth Cricket Club for the annual Rotary Linen Line, sorry, Club of Redruth 10K. Although not quite a beast, this race certainly has more than one runner who finds an excuse not to run it because of its fair sprinkling of hills.

Worthy charity this year was Shelter Box and I was amazed how much they actually manage to cram into that box. Two of their guys decided to carry on between them around the course and I didn't have the nerve to ask if it was full.

The start area outside the infant school was as audible as it would be with all the mothers gathered outside on a school day. As I don't like to talk much before a race, rather eschewing the social chit chat for a pre race psyche up, I was baffled as were the other 107 competitors when they told us we were off.

The usual mad dash down to Redruth School certainly split the field and I normally manage to rope a few in going up the hill past the council estate but most of them were too far ahead this time and I had to settle for the head game of “don't look up, its bad luck” or something stupid like that.

Surprisinglyy, the long pull up from the Treleigh (Flying Pot) Arms to the bypass caught a few out and as it's one of our training runs, I managed to sort a few out there and looked to catch Pete Drew and old adversary (friendly like) Martin from Launceston.

For some reason many chose to run the longer part of Mt Ambrose and it wasn't long before I had roped them in. The little dash down toward the rise at Sandy Lane brought welcome relief to many and a chance to chat with Martin about the upcoming Cornish before the trot down South Downs. I had expected a street party by the residents but not a flicker from the grumpy old lot and I might have all Wendys Ebay parcels addressed to them just so I can knock on their doors! Even my son who was down on leave and my grandson didn't bother craning their necks from John Wilson's fishing stories to give me a facial pat on the back.

Up Bullers Hill and down to the Cricket Club for a time that was a PB by ONE SECOND! Glad I didn't bother with a drink on Sandy Lane. Given a great hand by the assembled Carnies and Denis who is still nursing an injury so was support crew for the day.

If I'm not doing anything else on that day, I feel obliged to run a race that goes past my house. Normally its Cardiff or something so its not every year but I must confess there is a slight innocence to this little tester that makes it all the more worthwhile each time. Just over 100 in the field is just about right.

I didn't stay for the prize giving as Wendy was away catering for the Lodge and I had to get back and get lunch for the two who had now moved onto Andy Hayes or the Xbox or something equally energetic so if anyone got a prize I apologise for not mentioning it. Well done to all and to Paul for first Carnie home and to Janet for first Carn lady.

Paul Sawford 40.40

Mark Wreford 44.51

Janet Ritchie 47.30

Peter Drew 50.41

Steve Marks 51.17

Graham Pugh 51.48

Olivia Pellowe 58.51

Judy Jameson 65.00

Carol Garret 69.19