The Great Flat Lode 10K multi terrain race returned to the Cornish running calendar after a five-year absence, using a new course, starting at the King Edward Mine Museum on the outskirts of Troon, near Camborne, writes Alan Rowling.

This popular event, organised by the Rotary Club of Redruth and supported by its main sponsor the Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth, attracted well over 100 runners to the start line on Sunday.

The route took the runners through the centre of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, following the paths around Carn Brea, before tackling the ‘signature hill’ on the course, a short but steep climb inside the last mile.

From the gun Justin Thomas (Cornwall AC) stormed into the lead, followed by team mates Matt Yates and Helston’s Paul Whear.

Thomas, now recovered from the gruelling Looe 10 mile race two weeks previously, was in no mood to be caught, eventually winning by 46 seconds.

Yates held on gamely to second place until the tarmac path along the base of Carn Brea, when Whear upped his pace, sweeping past Yates, claiming the runner’s up spot, with Yates, crossing the line four seconds later, completing a Cornwall AC one-two-three and ensuring an unbeatable winning team score.

Catherine O’Dwyer, not only won the Ladies race by almost seven minutes by crept into the top ten finishing ninth overall. O’Dwyer has recently moved to Cornwall from Manchester and will prove to be a valuable asset at Truro Running Club. Nicola Gearing (Tri Logic) finished second, with Jenna Forbes (Carn Runners) in third place.

Falmouth Road Runners continue to support this race, fielding nine runners last weekend.

James Barnet led the way finishing in fourth place and leading the Falmouth Men’s team to the second team prizes, supported by Richard Keefe (9th) and Jake Timms (13th).

Falmouth stalwarts husband and wife Keith and Terry Marshall both won Veteran prizes in their respective 65+ and 60+ age groups.

A delighted race director Lee Jeffery said after the race: “Following the reintroduction of Great Flat Lode 10K Charity Race, organised by the Rotary Club of Redruth, funds raised will benefit the St.Petroc’s Society, a charity who provide accommodation and social care for single homeless people in the county.

Current estimates look to have raised nearly £2,000 for the charity, with the help and support from the local running community."

The Rotary Club would also like to express their thanks to the Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth for generous sponsorship and all at the King Edward Mine for providing venue and facilities.

KEY FOR CLUBS

CAC Cornwall AC, CR Carn Runners, FRR Falmouth Road Runners, HR Hayle Runners, MC Mud Crew, TL Tri Logic, TRC Truro Running Club, U Unattached.

RESULTS

Men: 1 Justin Thomas CAC 36.21, 2 Paul Whear CAC 37.07, 3 Matt Yates CAC 37.11, 4 James Barnet FRR 39.30, 5 Carl Murphy U 39.38, 6 Andrew Key CR 40.52, 7 Steve Fenney U 41.36, 8 Peter Warman U 41.25, 9 Richard Keefe FRR 42.38, 10 James Turner U 43.11. Age Categories: 35-39: 1 James Turner. 40-44: 1 Justin Thomas, 45-49: 1 Richard Keefe, 50-54: 1 Paul Whear, 55-59: Irwin Humphrey HR 49.16, 60-64: 1 Steve Feeney, 65+: 1 Keith Marshall FRR 58.32. Teams: 1 Cornwall AC 6 points, 2 Falmouth Road Runners 28 points, 3 Carn Runners 65 points.

Ladies: 1 Catherine O’Dwyer TRC 41.48, 2 Nicola Gearing TL 48.28, 3 Jenna Hunt MC 49.20, 4 Claire Mensing TRC 49.32, 5 Gail Aspden HR 50.06, 6 Nicola Hole U 50.39, 7 Jo Cox U 53.06, 8 Alice Warman U 53.33, 9 Louise Ollivier HR 53.35, 10 Tamsin Craze U 54.28. Age Categories: 35-39: 1 Nicola Gearing, 40-44:1 Catherine O’Dwyer, 45-49: 1 Claire Mensing, 50-54: 1 Louise Ollivier, 55-59: 1 Sue Sykes TRC 56.25, 60+: 1 Terry Marshall FRR 74.56. Teams: 1 Truro Running Club ‘A’ 21 points, 2 Carn Runners 50 points, 3 Truro Running Club ‘B’ 73 points.

FRR 74.56. Teams: 1 Truro Running Club ‘A’ 21 points, 2 Carn Runners 50 points, 3 Truro Running Club ‘B’ 73 points.