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A record number of finishers on Sunday got another Cornish GP year off to a great start. 545 runners crossed the line in the first race of 2012.
The race was re-named the Storm Force 10 three years ago partly due to the weather conditions that the old Blaythorne race endured year after year. It must have done the trick as the first two races under the new name took place under less than Storm Force conditions.
This year was no different with the wind dying away for the start and the only ‘showers’ were provided by the numerous persons (male and female) urinating in Barripper Road at the start. One of the locals was less than happy and Race Organiser, Laura had to trot round there after the race with a stiff brush and detergent plus a bottle of wine and choccies to placate the offended party! You Bad-Asses know who you are!
The race got off to the usual manic start with the hordes streaking down to Barripper at max chat! Apparently, ex-Carnie, Noel Kindon was pulling ahead with Dan Alsop in pursuit should Noel blow a gasket (not unknown!). My split at the 1 mile marker was a whole minute faster than I’d planned and I suspect by the chuckles around me that I wasn’t the only one.
A whole load of Carnies were running (you count them in the results – I get a different number every time!) with friends/family substituting so that they could. No substitute – No entry. All the other Carnies were out there marshalling and cheering us on. Others were on the drink stations. Kev May was so rushed off his feet that he gave a Cornwall AC runner an empty cup! Gutted!!
We headed back up the final grinding drag from Barripper, passed where we’d started (hurdling the river of p***) and then it was all downhill to the finish. Dan Alsop had overhauled Noel and was the race winner. Not too far behind in 8TH(!!) position was Emma Stepto in a new ladies course record of 58:46!! The results tell the story, Guys! You only get out what you put in and that lass is pounding the streets round Illogan day upon day. Top Run young lady!
The first Carnie home was Chris Hodge and also first Vet 50. Sandy Jamieson and Margaret Wade were also in the trophies picking up one in their age groups (you don’t mention ages for the ladies, chaps).
Great to see another ex-Carnie legend, Roy Willbond-Smith racing down here again (he’s moved back to Coventry) running for Northbrook AC. He wore Race No.1 (same league as Usain Bolt!)
Everyone had been busy baking, making sandwiches, rolls etc (the full Jamie Oliver) on Saturday so that we could put on the famous spread of food that the runners seem to like. This year it was all FREE. Throughout the year every club putting on a race looks after us so it’s only right to do our bit in return. There might be a bit of good old club rivalry but at the end of the day we’re all after the same goals, social banter and enjoyment from the sport.
We put out a tin on the food table for anyone who wished to make a donation. The Cornish running fraternity showed their generosity and a total of £307 was raised for the Cornwall Hospice. A Big – Thank You.
That evening a meal out was enjoyed at the Gwel an Mor resort restaurant to celebrate another successful race.
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