Pioneers here, there and everywhere

Last Saturday saw several pioneers brave the weather and take part in the Polruan Shuffle, organised by Purple Gekko. The race starts on Looe Beach, with athletes having a staggered start, due to Covid restrictions. The route takes the runners through the town, over the bridge, and then follows the muddy South West Coastal Path to Talland, where the first checkpoint and refreshments are located. Athletes stay on the coastal path to Polruan, where they then enter Coal Wharf to complete the 12.5 mile run. Due to recent weather conditions the path was slippery and mudder than expected, causing some of the athletes to slip and fall during the run. That added to the usual hilly terrain of the Coastal Path and livestock, this is not an easy run. Though the route does offer amazing elevated views over the Channel. With several pioneers running, many came out to support the athletes. 
Clive Finnimore finished overall second place out of the 90 runners who took part in the race, with a finish time of 2:04:35. 
Tom Burns, wearing bid number 4, a very early individual to sign up for this run completed the route in 2:28:44. 
Jenny Cartwright was the first female pioneer back and completed the route in 2:36:00
Darren Hardwick finished the route just under the three hour mark, even after having a few slips along the way, 2:57:16. 
Rob Kernaghan, completed to cliff top route in 3:19:11 with Sandra Haynes, kept smiling and finished the route 3:45:39

Last Sunday, saw Carol Beaver take part in the Wadebridge triathlon. Carol took part in the Big Camel, which is a 400 m swim, followed by a 26K bike ride and a 5K run. Sadly as the weather has been unseasonably wet recently, the bike element was removed due to health and safety. Much to the disappointment of many athletes, including Carol. However Carol completed the swim in 13.27, which took place in the Wadebridge Leisure Centre and the 5K run in 30.01. The run takes the athletes from the leisure centre, over the bridge toward the camel trail. 

Beth Aldridge took part in the Boconnoc Woods Freedom Racing, this roughly 5.5 mile trail route, takes athletes through the Boconnoc estate, taking in woodlands and parkland. This off-road race is rocky, uneven and currently very muddy. Beth completed the route in 1:07:41. For athletes who completed the race they received an environmentally friendly wooden laser cut medal.