Sunday 19 July 2026 will go down as a very special day in the history of Carn Runners.
To celebrate the club’s 35th anniversary, members carried the Carn flag around a 35-mile route through Camborne, Redruth and the surrounding area. The journey was divided into seven relay legs of roughly five miles, with a different group taking responsibility for each section before handing the flag over to the next team.
It wasn’t a race and there were no prizes for reaching the finish first. The day was about celebrating the club, sharing the miles and bringing together the people who make Carn Runners what it is.
From the first steps at Camborne Cricket Club to the final climb up Carn Brea, it was a day filled with running, conversation, laughter, friendship and an enormous amount of club spirit.
A Route Through the Heart of Carn Country
The relay began at 8am from Camborne Cricket Club, with the first group setting off towards Wall carrying the Carn flag.
From there, the route continued through Barripper, Camborne, Troon and along the Great Flat Lode into Redruth. Later legs took the relay through Illogan and down towards Portreath before heading across the coast, through Tehidy Woods and along the Red River Valley.
The final group then continued through Tuckingmill and Heartlands before taking on the last climb to the summit of Carn Brea.
The route was carefully chosen to pass through places that have played a part in the club’s story. These included former Carn Runners headquarters at Holmans, Camborne School and Broad Lane, as well as many of the roads, lanes and trails that members have enjoyed together over the years.
It was a true tour of the club’s local area, taking in town streets, country lanes, old mining trails, woodland, coast path and, of course, a few challenging Cornish hills along the way.
Seven Legs, One Club
Each stage brought a new group of runners together, but the Carn flag and relay baton connected the entire journey.
At every handover there were smiles, photographs, words of encouragement and stories from the leg just completed. Some runners took part in one section, while others returned for additional legs or followed the relay throughout the day to offer support.
Every part of the route had its own character.
There were familiar local roads, long stretches of conversation, challenging climbs, woodland shade, beautiful coastal views and plenty of shared experiences along the way. The Portreath section brought some of the toughest terrain of the day, while the final leg still had the small matter of reaching the top of Carn Brea.
What made the day so memorable, however, wasn’t simply the route or the distance. It was seeing members from across the club taking part together, supporting one another and proudly carrying the yellow and blue around the area.
More Than a Running Club
Carn Runners began in 1991 after a local newspaper advert brought together a small group of people interested in forming a running club.
Thirty-five years later, the club remains welcoming, inclusive and social, with members of different ages, abilities and running backgrounds sharing the same love of running together. Some of those involved in the club’s earliest days are remarkably still active members today. You can read much more about the people, races and moments that shaped the club on our Carn Runners history page.
The Coral Relay captured that history without needing to recreate it.
Past and present members were brought together by the same things that have always been at the heart of Carn Runners: shared miles, friendship, encouragement and a genuine love for the club.
Throughout the day there was a constant flow of chatter and stories. Members spoke about previous races, old club nights, memorable routes, friendships formed through running and experiences shared over many years.
It was a reminder that a running club is never just about results, distances or personal bests. It is about the people beside you, the support offered when running becomes difficult and the friendships that continue long after the run has finished.
A Special Finish at Carn Brea
After seven relay legs and 35 miles, the Carn flag finally reached the top of Carn Brea.
Members gathered around the monument to welcome the final runners, celebrate the achievement and toast 35 years of Carn Runners. Having some of the club’s founding members there made the moment even more meaningful, linking the very beginning of Carn Runners with the friendly and thriving club it is today.
There were tired legs, plenty of photographs and a real sense that everyone had been part of something special.
The view from the top provided the perfect ending. From Carn Brea, members could look out across much of the area the relay had travelled through during the day—a fitting place to finish a route celebrating a club so firmly connected to Camborne, Redruth and the surrounding communities.
Thank You to Everyone Who Made It Happen
A day like this does not come together without a great deal of thought, planning and teamwork.
A huge thank you goes to James who helped organise the relay, develop the route, coordinate the groups and keep the day running smoothly.
Thank you to each of the leg leaders who guided their groups, to everyone who helped with transport between changeover points and to those who shared photographs, videos and progress updates throughout the day.
Most importantly, thank you to every member who ran, supported, encouraged or joined the celebrations at Carn Brea. Whether you completed one leg, several sections or helped behind the scenes, you contributed to an unforgettable day.
We would also like to thank the past and present members who have helped shape Carn Runners over the last 35 years. Every club night, race, social run, committee meeting, volunteering shift and shared experience has contributed to the club we have today.
Here’s to the Next Chapter
The Coral Relay covered 35 miles, but the day represented so much more than a number.
It celebrated 35 years of shared experiences, friendships, encouragement and love for the club. It brought different generations of Carn Runners together and showed exactly why the club continues to mean so much to so many people.
It was an amazing day from beginning to end—and one we will be talking about for a very long time.
Happy 35th anniversary, Carn Runners.
Here’s to all the miles already shared and to many more still to come. 💙💛
