This new, scenic, testing half-marathon organised by Trevor Ford and Glenda Hartland for the Deviock Millennium Group, took place on Sunday 3rd October.

It attracted 45 runners this year but there are hopes that it may become a permanent fixture and interest more people in the future. The race started in the Seaton Valley Countryside Park and took the runners through the Nature Reserve and up to Hessenford. Then on through wooded country lanes, incorporating some very testing hills, passing through Narkus, Polbathic and Downderry before finishing by the Triangle. Local residents kindly gave up their morning to marshal the event and man the water stations. The weather proved to be better than expected, making it more favourable for the participants.

The event was sponsored by local businesses on route, and results were quickly produced by a member of Tamar Trotters.

The winner of the event was Mark Davidson from Plymouth Harriers, who finished in a time of 1:24:18. Mike Erith from East Cornwall Harriers came in second in 1:25:36 while third was Brian Bilsborough, also from ECH in a time of 1:26:44.

First lady back and sixth overall was Jess Hoskin from ECH in a time of 1:31:15. She initially had a bit of a battler with the second placed lady, Claire Davidson of Plymouth Harriers who finished in 1:34:54. However, Jess' strength saw her through to win her second half-marathon in consecutive weekends. Third lady back was Debbie Nugent from Carn Runners with 1:42:35.

Vet's trophies went to: MV40 - Martin Eddie (Carn Runners) 1:29:26; MV45 - Keith Rolfe (ECH) 1:35:27; MV50 - Pete Sargent (Newquay Road Runners) 1:34:26; MV55 Vic McKee (ECH) 2:14:08; FV40 - Jacky Tyler (ECH) 1:45:39; FV45 - Amanda Erith (ECH) 1:46:21.

Other ECH results - Andrew Lord 1:36:52: Mark Andrews 1:41:31; Richard Daulton 1:46:22; Anton Luiten 1:51:30. It was also nice to see Dave Clatworthy running again, although not competing yet, and to have the usual verbal encouragement from wife Hilary around the course.

Last weekend, while most of the ECH runners were in Truro, several others were in different parts of England and Scotland. Mike Erith and son Toby ran in the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham. Mike finished in 1:24 and Toby in 1:28. Alan Smith was also in Nottingham competing in the Robin Hood Marathon. Bull Muller travelled all the way to Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon. He managed to get the sub 3:30 time he had been training for.