The last weekend in January saw Emma Langstaff and Clive Finnimore take part in the gruelling Arc of Attrition. This winter coastal path run starts at 12 noon on the Friday, athletes then run 100 miles along the coastal path from Coverack to Porthtowan. Athletes are given a strict 36 hours cut off time to complete this super human challenge. With runners needing to run through the night to complete the challenge. Each 20 miles the athletes are given checkpoints starting at Carrick moving along the coast to Mullion, then on to Praa Sands and Marazion. Athletes carry on the coastal path, enjoying the breathtaking winter view on the Lands End, Sennen and Cape corn, before heading towards St Ives and Portreath. Emma Langstaff finished the 100 mile challenge in 28 hours and 45 minutes with Clive Finnimore completing the route in 29 hours and 9 minutes. Both are incredible times, for such a distance, voer such complicated terrain and time of year, with limited daylight to support the runners and having no escape from the elements being on the coastal path. 

Donna Gundry took part in a three month challenge for Running Down Dementia, part of Alzheimer's Research UK. The challenge, which started in November 2021 and finished January 2022 was to run 300km (186 miles). During this time Donna raised £125 for Alzheimer's Research, however wanting to challenge herself, she decided from the outset she would double the distance. In total she ran 741km (460 miles), needing to run in cold mornings, dark nights and rainy days. 

​Last weekend saw several pioneers travel to Cambourne to take part in the 10 mile road race, taking place on undulating and mainly quiet country roads. This is the first race in Cornwall's Grand prix series. Last year saw the race cancelled due to Covid, however this year saw a bumper number of athletes take part, with nearly 700 runners taking part in the race. 
Starting at Cambourne School, runners take to the road and on to Crane Road, then Tregenna Lane, turning on to Pendarves road and onto Barripper road. By mile 2 the athletes reach Carnhell Green, running towards Parbola holiday park and through Wall, Reawla and Trenerth before reaching Leedstown, where the athletes have reached the 4.5 mile mark and run along Praze Road, turning off at the 6th mile at Howe Downs. This road takes the athletes back to Carnhell Green, where they repeat the start of the route back to the start/finish line. 


Jo Robinson came first in her age group, as well as for Looe Pioneers and 8th overall for the female runners, completing the route in 1:07:06. Mandy Gibson completed the 10 mile route in 1:13:09. Emma Clarke completed the route in 1:16:57, a Personal best for her and a great way to start the season. Alison Catnach crossed the finish line at 1:17:55, followed by Phil Gibson with a time of 1:19:56. Debbie Jones completed the 10 mile route in 1:21:01, followed by Darren Hardwick with a time of 1:25:09, a personal best time for him on this route. Then Grahame Mace only second later with a time of 1:25:23. Shortly followed by Rob Kernaghan with a time of 1:27:12, Jon Hoskin finishing in 1:27:51.Followed by  Louisa Chisholm and Helen Lawes ran together and  finished the route in 1:30:49 and 1:30:51 respectively. Linda Cuff crossed the 10 mile finish line in 1:33:02, followed by Simon Lawes 1:37:46 and Sandra Haynes in 1:42:19. Peter Catnach completed the route in 1:44:21, followed by Kathy Saunders who crossed the finish line in 1:54:09.

Early January also saw a group of 10 Pioneers travel up to Plympton for the January Jaunt. This 10k route multi-terrain route, starting at St Boniface Arena, in Plympton, taking the athletes under the flyover, and along by River Plym then turning into Saltram Park where the athletes reach the halfway point, before running back along the route that they came. Athletes get to enjoy views of the river as well as running on paths and some mud. 

In attendance for the pioneers was 
Darren Hardwick 52:44 who came in first for the pioneers, followed by Graham Mace finishing the run in 52:46, 
Louisa Chisholm, was the first female back for the pioneers, crossed the finish line at 54:13. Helen Lawes finished with a time of 55:46, just ahead of her husband Simon Lawes who completed the run in 58:54. Di Foster ran alongside Kirsty Webb with them crossing the line in  59:45 and 59:43 respectively. Finishing just over the hour mark was Sandra Haynes with a time of 1:01:45 followed by Jon Jones 1:15:57.