The Cornwall 'Mob Match' took place on Sunday, October 17. This five-mile race for Cornish running clubs to contest was raced in three team categories, and this year attracted 145 runners. The categories were; open team, consisting of 12 mixed members from a club, male vets team, four male members over 40 and female team, any four females from one club.

In the open category Newquay Road Runners were the easy winners. East Cornwall Harriers claimed second place, and Hayle Road Runners were third.

Newquay Road Runners also won the male vets team, second were Cam Runners and East Cornwall Harriers managed to gain third place.

In the female team category, despite only fielding four runners, East Cornwall Harriers came out on top, just beating Cornwall AC into second place, with Falmouth Road Runners coming third. The team consisted of Jess Hoskin, Revis Crowle, Jacky Tyler and Amanda Erith.

ECH results: Rod Andrews 31:20, Mike Erith 31:47, Jess Hoskin 31:54 (1st lady), Len White 32:16, Trevor Ford 33:21, Revis Crowle 33:55 (3rd lady), Alan Smith 33:48, Andrew Lord 34:01, Mark Andrews 34:30, Bryan Bradbeer 35:01, Jacky Tyler 35:42, Amanda Erith 37:13, Dave Clatworthy 45:29, Vic McKee 47:14, Barbara Lock (CAC) 36:23.

The Cornish Grand Prix Prizes were given out after the Mob Match. These are awarded to runners who have accumulated the most points by competing in seven of 13 chosen Cornish races during the year, covering all distances from five miles to a marathon.

The winner of the male open was Ronnie James from Cornwall AC, second was Richard Davis from Cam Runners and third was Pat Lockett from Newquay Road Runners.

Jess Hoskin, from East Cornwall Harriers won the ladies open, with Debbie Fuglar second and Lesley Richardson third, both ladies from Newquay Road Runners.

The Cliff Templar Trophy is given each year to the most improved runner in the county. The year it was awarded to Jess Hoskin of East Cornwall Harriers.

Vet categories males - 040 1st Chris Monk (NqRR), 2nd Steve Chappel (HRR), 3rd Kervin Walker (NqRR). 045 1st Mike Orchard (NqRR), 2nd R Braun (FRR), 3rd. Malcolm Roberts (unattached), 050 1st Pat Lockett (NqRR), 2nd Mike Erith (ECH), 3rd Pete Sargent(NqRR), 060 1st John Robson (FRR), 2nd Neil Driver (TRC), 3rd Vic McKee (ECH).

Vet categories females:- 035 1st Debbie Fuglar (NqRR), 2nd Lesley Richardson (NqRR) 040 1st Jacky Tyler (ECH), 2nd Sue Rouncefield (HRR), 3rd Janet Chappell (HRR), 045 1st Janice Warren (CAC). 2nd Lesley-Anne Daw (NqRR), 3rd Amanda Erith (ECH). 050 Val Hawkins (NqRR).

There was a massive turn out for the Frank Elford Sports Adidas Autumn Trail Run on Sunday last, in aid of St Luke's Hospice. 427 runners finished this eight mile cross country race around Newnham Park, in Plymouth. The recent weather made the going a bit slippery and the river had to be crossed on several occasions.

The winner of the event was Alister Bristow (EVH) in a time of 44:15, second was Steve Payne (PH) in 44:24, and Neil Holmes (EVH) came in third, in a time of 44:40.

First lady back, and 25 overall, was Angela Allen (PH) in a time of 51:24, way ahead of second lady Lynn Storer (HRR) who finished in 56:37. Third lady was Jennifer Mills (Bideford AAC) in 57:07.

Two East Cornwall Harriers picked up trophies, Rod Andrews for first over 55, and Amanda Erith for first lady over 45. ECH Results:— 49th Rod Andrews 53:39, 63rd Nick Stone 55:14, 67th Len White 55:28, 92nd Richard Daulton 57:04, 111th Revis Crowle 59:04, 115th Mike Erith 59:25, 185th Barbara Lock (CAC) 1:04:04, 191st Alan Smith 1:04:28, 216th Amanda Erith 1:06:01, 280th Sharon Daw 1:10:14, 381st Corinne Stone 1:24:05, 395th Dave Clatworthy 1:26:46.

Back on Sunday 26 September over 5,000 runners took part in the first Puma Edinburgh Marathon. Starting at 9 am in a cold, misty Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, Fife, the race finished in brilliant sunshine at Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh.

The undulating course, which the organisers hope will continue to give the Edinburgh Marathon "an edge", would be described by Cornish runners as "flat" The route took runners out of Dunfermlme, past the old Naval Base at Rosyth and over the Forth Road Bridge. On through the Dalmeny Estate (courtesy of the Earl of Rosebery), along the Cramond waterfront and the foreshore of the Firth of Forth before reaching the much talked about hill (a steady climb of 60 metres over 4 miles) up into the City of Edinburgh. Passing along Princes Street, the only landmark runners may have noticed was the Waverley Station Clock, which would cause concern for those seeking a personal best - the clock is always 5 minutes fast!

And so into the Royal Mile, a quick turn around the garden of Holyrood Palace (by permission of Her Majesty the Queen) past St Margaret's Loch in the shadowof Arthur's Seat, before entering the Marathon gate at Meadowbank and into the arena.

The race was won by Andres Espinosa (Mexico) in 2.14.31. This 36-y-o is the 10th fastest man in marathon history and finished more than two minutes clear of Wieslaa Perszke (Poland) 2.16.33.

The ladies race was won by Esther Kiplagat (18th position) in 2.33.09. The fourth lady home in 25th position was Sue Reinsford (England) who ran the fastest time of any British woman this year.

Charity T-shirts and running vests ffrom all over the country were in eviddence and WCH was represented by Bill Muller of Cardinham, Bodmin. Despite suffering a viral illness the week before he finished in 3.26.42, just under his target time of three and a half hours.