Gecko's and Exe's

Last Saturday saw husband and wife team Rob and Lisa Kernaghan take part in the first of the season Gecko Gathering, with a 5K run at Siblyback.  This 5K route takes the athletes on a trail route around the popular Siblyback Lake. Rob completed the route in 25:50 and Lisa completed the shorter route of 2.5K in 18.50. Sharon Moreau who opted to complete the 10K version of the Siblyback Lake route in 1:06:00

Sunday saw Rob Kernaghan take part in the Smugglers Scuttler run at Land's End. This pirate themed run is a hard and tough route. With this year being held on one of the wettest days in June. During the half marathon, athletes need to collect 4 items of contraband. The route starts at Land's End, and takes the athletes along the rugged and exposed Coastal Path towards Penwith Heritage Coast. The athletes continue until Priest Cove, near St Just, then turn around and repeat the route to finish the picturesque Land's End. Rob completed this rough terrain half marathon in 3:19:00

Emma Clarke, Phil Shepley and Ali Catnach travelled up to Exeter to take part in the Exeter Half Marathon. This route mainly follows the river Exe and the Exeter canal, the route is flat and traffic free. The route starts at Exeter's historic quay, running alongside the canal and looping back, and heading out again this time crossing over the canal, before lopping back for a second time and crossing a second part of the canal. From here the athletes run towards Exeter University Playing Fields, where athletes cross over the river again, and then head towards Matford, looping around Matford Green Business Park, before heading up to Grace Roads Playing Fields before rejoining the final road to the finish line. This 13.2 mile route saw 400 runners take part in the race, which Covid regulations mean runners start in socially distance groups of 50 people.  Phil Shepley completed the route in 1.39:00, with Ali Catnach being just seconds behind him, at 1:40:00. Emma Clarke was the third pioneer back with a time of 1:46