Sunday 19th saw the running of the Millennium Bath half marathon. This is known as one of the fastest and flattest courses in the country, and is an excellent preparation race for the London Marathon.
This almost traffic-free two lap course started and finished in the heart of the spectacular City of Bath, it was well marshalled with excellent support from spectators and near perfect weather for running.
East Cornwall Harriers has seven runners this year, and six produced personal best performances. Mike Erith lead them back in a PB of 82:05, next back also in a PB was Jacky Tyler in 85:57, who also won a prize for the third vet lady to finish.
Mark Andrews pulled out another PB with a time of 96:58, followed by Andrew Lord with a PB of 89:45. Anton Luiton also produced a PB, finishing in 95:45. Jeremy Bennett, who has been racing much this year but is preparing for the London Marathon, came in with a time of 101:10 with Amanda Erith coming home with the sixth PB of 101:41.
Roy Smith from Newquay Road Runners won the prize for third vet 50, in a time of 81:26. Newquay Road Runners also managed to win the third Vet Team Prize with Chris Monk, producing a PB of 75:48, Martin Davis 76:44, Roy Smith and Paul Bullock 81:03.
Other local runners: Cornwall AC - Ronnie James 68:34; NqRR - Shaun Milford 71:03, Tony Wright 74:54, Lester Young 74:42, Paul Burns 82:17, Mike Kestle 84:07, Pete Sargent 84:32, Debbie Dunleavy 92:05 (PB), Barry Buckley 92:45, Mike Yeo 101:47, Colin Martin 107:37, Theresa Stevenson 145:11.
On the same day, the local Withel on Foot half marathon was also run. There were 74 entrants, and this year an unattached runner Mark Belcher won the male race.
East Cornwall Harriers had four taking part, first back was Rod Andrews, sixth overall, in a time of 89:22, he also won the O60 vet trophy. Bill Muller finished 15th in 97:07 and Alan Smith was 17th in 98:11. Nick Stone, who is still suffering from an ankle injury, finished 32nd in 105:45.
Other local runners: NqRR - (3) Pat Lockett, O50 vet trophy 85: 41, (9) Kevin Walker 94:23, (11) Ron Chaplain 95:56, (13) 1st Lady Lesley Richardson, O40 96:24, (36) Ken Bennett 107:09, (45) Colin Denny 111:11, (47) Brian Smith 111:41, (71) Chris Eade 138:43, (73) Val Hawkin 148:09, (74) Vic McKee 156:07.
There was also a six mile race run at Withel and the first lady home, also winning the under 17 trophy, was local runner Pandora Stone from Common Moor. She finished in a time of 47 minutes. Pandora, who has only recently taken up running, was competing in her first race, having only just turned 16. We hope to see more of her at some of the shorter races in county.
Last weekend, newcomers to the East Cornwall Harriers Ron and Doreen Paine went up to Reading to compete in a half marathon. Ron produced a PB in a time of 1:33 and Doreen finished in 1:58.