Some races test your speed.
Others test your grit.
The Tehidy Twilight Run on Wednesday 18th February firmly fell into the second category — and Antony and Eleanor Dennis rose to the challenge in style.
Held at Tehidy Country Park, the Twilight Run is known for its tough trail terrain and moody evening atmosphere. This year, the course added a few extra ingredients: relentless rain, deep mud, steep hills, and near-total darkness. Not exactly a recipe for personal bests… unless you’re made of the right stuff.
And Antony and Eleanor clearly are.
Wet, Muddy, Dark — and Still Flying
From the off, conditions were unforgiving.
Heavy rain turned sections of the course into slippery quagmires, with mud clinging to shoes and legs from the first lap. Add in rolling hills, fading light, and the mental challenge of running hard into darkness, and this became a proper test of both physical and mental strength.
Yet both runners pushed through, holding strong pacing, staying upright where many struggled, and digging deep when it mattered most.
The result?
- Antony: 4th place in his gender
- Eleanor: 4th place in her gender
An outstanding achievement on a night when simply finishing was an accomplishment in itself.
“Super Proud of Us” — And Rightly So
Antony summed it up perfectly after the race:
“Super proud of us. Dreadful weather. Hills, darkness, mud, and both of us came 4th in our genders! Eleanor Dennis, you smashed it! Won’t be doing that again though 😆😆🤪🏅”
That mix of pride, relief, and humour is something many runners will recognise — especially after a race that demands absolutely everything.
Why Events Like This Matter
Races like the Tehidy Twilight Run are a reminder of why trail running is so special.
They strip things back. No perfect conditions. No excuses. Just you, the course, and your willingness to keep going when it gets uncomfortable.
For Carn Runners, performances like this highlight exactly what the club is about:
- Turning up even when conditions are rough
- Supporting each other through shared challenges
- Quietly achieving brilliant results without fuss
Antony and Eleanor didn’t just race — they embraced the challenge and came away with podium-adjacent finishes that would be impressive on any day, let alone one like this.
A Huge Well Done from Carn Runners
Massive congratulations to both Antony and Eleanor for representing Carn Runners with determination, resilience, and a good sense of humour in truly grim conditions.
Whether or not they “do that again” any time soon is another matter… but one thing’s certain — this was a night to be proud of.
