It was a proud day for Cornwall Athletic Club at the recent Ocean City Half Marathon qualifying race in Plymouth, when eight Cornwall AC athletes took full advantage of the England Athletics Age Group representative opportunity to earn selection for the England Masters team at the Maidenhead Half Marathon in September.

This is possibly a ‘club record’ for the number of runners from the same club in any England Masters race.

Not only did Emma Stepto, the former England Senior Marathon and 10K international and 2018 World Masters silver medallist, finish third in the Ladies race, qualifying for her fourth England Masters vest but will be joined by her mum, Jackie Jenkin (V70). How often have a mother and daughter been selected to wear an England vest in the same representative race? At Maidenhead they will be joined by Emma’s stepdad, Richard Jenkin (V75), completing a unique treble.

The Cornwall AC family trio will be joined by the talented up and coming V35 winner Ruby Orchard, who finished fourth overall at Plymouth.

Colin Snook ran strongly finishing second overall at Plymouth, winning the V40 category and looking forward to a third England Masters vest at Maidenhead.

In the V50 Men’s category the Cornwall AC runners, Tony Wright, Tony Dunn and Paul Whear filled every step on the podium, with Wright, the current UK V50 10K and Half Marathon number one, winning his age group by almost one minute. Royal Navy office Dunn, sailed home in second place, just getting the better of Whear by a narrow 13 second margin. All four men will be adding to their individual tally of England Masters vests.

Former Cornwall AC runner, Steve Wherry, who now runs for Hayle Runners, also qualified for his first England Vest, finishing second in the V55 category at Plymouth.