The last two weeks have been busy ones for the Pioneers, with races and events starting to return following the easing of lockdown, writes Donna Gundry.

Looe Pioneers is an inclusive running club and provides runners with an opportunity to take part in shorter runs or push themselves to ultra marathons.

The last fortnight has been no exception to this, with runners taking part in 5k runs all the way up to ultra marathons.

May saw Anne Libby complete her Miles for Mind challenge, running 100k to raise awareness for the charity Mind.

On the last weekend of May, Anne then completed her Relay for Life 5K route, a virtual route, where athletes can run in any location to support cancer research.

During half-term, many of the runners took part in the London Vitality 10k – a virtual race, where athletes get to choose their 10k route.

Clive Finnimore, who is no stranger to long-distance running, took on The South West Traverse, a tough 44-mile route, which starts from the most southerly point of the county, The Lizard running along the coastal path to Land’s End.

This Ultra marathon takes athletes along the uneven and hilly track, enjoying the dramatic landscape which Cornwall is known and loved for.

During the route, the athletes keep on the coastal path, and run past some of the south coast’s most beautiful locations – Mousehole, Penzance, Marazion, Praa Sands, Porthleven and on to The Lizard.

Out of the 200 runners who took part in the race, on an incredibly hot day, Clive came back ninth overall, completing the run in an amazing 9:06:00.

To top off Clive’s achievement, he also achieved a personal best for the 50K distance.

Dartmoor Discovery is an 32 Ultra Marathon, with 260 runners taking part in the run.

The route starts and finishes at Princetown, and takes in some of the hardest hills that Dartmoor has to offer.

Two very brave Pioneers took part in this event – Jo Robinson, who completed the route in four hours 40, and came back second for the females, and followed quickly by the third female back and fellow Pioneer Emma Langstaff.

This was an amazing achievement for both of these female athletes.

The intense route takes the athletes from Princetown to Two Bridges, running through the wild campsite, and onwards to the River Dart. Athletes cross the river and climb towards Poundsgate, finally turning towards Ashburton to run towards Buckland in the Moor, then Widecombe in the Moor, before turning back to Postbridge then Two Bridges, and finishing at Princetown.

Last Sunday, four Pioneers took part in the Burrator 10k, which is a fast, flat and mostly tarmac route, taking athletes around the reservoir on one whole lap and 2/3 of another loop.

Starting at Dam bridge, athletes run anticlockwise around the reservoir.

Though the official times are yet to be finalised, Emma Collins completed the route in 52.34, Rob Kerrigan in 53.43, and Sandra Northcott just under the hour with a time of 59.30

For Louisa Chisholm, who only recently joined the Pioneers, this was her first event, and she completed the route in approximately 51.38.