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Last Saturday saw Paul Wright, Mike Visick (31:06), Mandy Kemp and Kathy Saunders take part in the Lanhydrock parkrun, with 140 other athletes. The Lanhydrock route is a tricky one, due to hilly section during the 5K route. Parkruns happen all over the world, are free to enter and take placed early on Saturday mornings. Whilst Christian Boyce (23:02), Nina and Kylie Bond (28:52) where holidaying in Orlando, Florida, they took part in the Caremont Waterfront parkrun. Last Sunday saw Robert Kernaghan and Mandy Kemp took part in the 12k Lopwell Loop. This hilly road race, which was organised by Storm Plymouth running club. The race starts at Tamerton Foliot and takes the athletes down towards Lopwell dam, then they loop back around to the Tamerton Foliot. Mandy completed the race in 1:24 where as Rob Kernaghan completed the route in 1:10.  
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Kathy Saunders and Clive Finnimore travelled down to Marazion, to take part in the St Micheal Mount Remembrance Day race. Where all athletes were requested to wear something red. Starting at 11:02, following to 2 minute of silence. This just over 4 mile race, starting at the Sailing club with take the athletes along the beach and athletes will need to cross a river. With the race finishing in front of picturesque St Micheal's Mount. Clive finished the 4.2 mile route in 39:59. With Kathy finishing in run in 56:45.  Last week, saw a series of events taking place for the Looe Pioneers within Cornwall. The brave Pioneers who battled against the wind and rain to compete in some spooktacular events. On the eve of Halloween, 6 weather hardened athletes, took part in the Cardinham Woods Twilight Run. This creepy run, taking place at night, took the runners in the dark on a frightening 5k route. For those who were brave enough to do the 10K route, they would have the pleasure of running through the woods twice, just to give them a proper scare. The 5K route saw nearly 100 athletes complete in the race. With Rob Kernaghan completing the race in 28:40, Christian Boyce was hot on his heals (28:55). Nina Bond, as the first female athlete for the club to cross the finish line, with a time of 36:13. With Mandy Kemp (36:20) who came first in her age category, quickly followed by Lisa Kernaghan (36:23). Darren Hardwick, was the only pioneer who did the 10k and completing the race in 53:18 and came in 27th out of 121 athletes who took part.    Last Saturday saw Emma Clarke travel to London, to take part in the Thames Meander Marathon, where the route takes the athletes from Kingston Upon Thames following the River Thames, towards Twickenham, Richmond, past Kew Gardens, then over the London Wetlands Centre, this is where athletes turned around to return to just north of Kingston Upon Thames. However on the return leg, the athletes had to run into the wind, making conditions harder to run. Emma completed the 26 mile run in 4:18:03, making this narrowly her second fastest marathon. However she did achieve her fastest 30k run.  On Sunday morning 9 athletes took part in the Runway Runaround, whilst Wingwoman Maddie Southall cheered on the runners, providing much needed support in the miserable weather conditions. The race took place at the RAF St Mawgan site. The race was organised to raise money for Cornwall Air Ambulance, an amazing charity close to the hearts of many within the Pioneers. With this race being even more special, as this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the RAF starting, and 75 years since RAF St Mawgan, the location for today's race, site opened. This amazing and flat route, on the runway, where athletes had the pleasure of running under the stationary Thomas Cook planes wings and tails, which is not part of your everyday race! Sadly, the race itself was delayed for 20 minutes, athletes tried to keep their spirit up by doing a massive team warm ups, with roughly 900 athletes taking part. The Pioneers wore orange tutu's and wigs during the charity run and started the route whilst being played to by a steal drum band. Darren Hardwick (48:36) and Rob Kernaghan (48:35) came back first for the Pioneers, with Emma Collins being the first female across the line for the Pioneers having completed the race in 54:08. Mandy Kemp finished the race in 1:06:00. Donna Gundry and Julie Gregory ran together and completed the race in 1:06:33. Sandra Northcott, who has been resting for 6 weeks as she has been recovering from an injury, ran with Lisa Kernaghan who both completed in route in 1:06:52. Kathy Saunders was just behind them with a time of 1:08:35. Lisa Jago completed the route in 1:15:38.  This weekend was also the Cornish Marathon. However due to the terrible weather conditions that have been effecting Cornwall recently, there was a last minute change to the route, due to flooding, removing a much needed 6 miles of flat running whilst running near Jamaica Inn, for more hills. However, that didn't stop 10 Pioneers taking on the challenge. The route started at Pensilva with a quick loop around the primary school, from here the athletes, run toward the beautiful Golitha Falls, where athletes then ran toward the edge of the Moor, just to turn and run to the middle of Bodmin Moor, running passed Colliford Lake. Then turning just before the athletes reached Bolventor, to repeat the run back to Pensilva. Jo "The Rocket" Robinson put in a truly amazing display, and after several races where she topped her age group, this race saw Jo come back first not only for the club, but also first female back. Jo ran against 475 runners taking part, with a superb finishing time of 3:18:50. This is an incredible achievement, given the weather, harder conditions and length of race. Other Pioneers who took part were, Tommy Murran (3:21:07), Gary Williams (3:31:05), Emma Langstaff (3:51:08) who came second in her age category, Alison Catnach (4:12:42), Clive Finnmore (4:20:00), Gary Oswald (4:45:36) third in his age category, Tania Elliott (5:11:41), Mick Torres (5:21:32) and Andy Elliott (6:09:52). Mick Torres, Andy Elliott, Tania Elliott and Tommy Murran all choose the Cornish marathon to be there first marathon. Showing real team spirit to support the athletes during the marathon, many of the Pioneers including Di Foster, Mandy and Phil Gibson, Guy Cooper and Nick and Mags Pope jumped on their bikes and clocked up 15 - 25 miles of the route, just to cheer on their friends and fellow runners!   Robert Cioppa and Cheryl Broas, who live in America and also spend time in Looe, when they are in Looe they run with the Pioneers. Last weekend saw them both participate in the New York Marathon, along with 56,625 fellow runners, they took to the streets on a perfect Sunday. For Robert, aged 77, this was his first marathon with a finish time of 6:14:11. Cheryl, aged 58 completed the run in 4:21:46.  Saturday saw great turn out from the Pioneers competing in the Eden Project parkrun. Helen Lawes (27:07), who finished 5th in her age category, making her 18th female across the line, out of the 211 athletes who took part. Julie Gregory completed the run in 32:50. Also in attendance were Mark Deacon, Nina Bond, Christian Boyce, and Cathy Saunders. Sunday, saw several pioneers taking part in the Tavy 7 race, which is organised by Tavistock Athletics Club. The 7 mile route, is held on Dartmoor, and takes the athletes from Plaster Down on the western edge of Dartmoor on an undulating route and goes past Pew Tor and the hamlet of Sampford Spiney on its 7 mile route. Along the way athletes are treated to wonderful scenery. Athletes who took part from the Pioneers included Di Foster (1:01:01), Sophie Wones (1:05:57), Dave Hotchkiss (1:08:34), Steve Skinner, and Mandy Kemp.   Last weekend saw a trio of pioneers travel over to Southsea, Portsmouth to take part in the Great South run. Nina Bond, Christian Boyce and Mark Deacon competed in the 10 miles route, which take the athletes from portsmouth Blue Reef Aquarium, along the coast towards Portsmouth Dock, then over to the University, back to Southsea, along the coast and back again to Southsea. The Pioneers Trio who took part in the race were Nina Bond, who completed the run in 1:38:44. Christian Boyce finished in 1:17:33. For both Nina and Christian this was their personal best times for both 10 mile and 15K. Mark Deacon who wanted to finish the race near the hour mark, but managed to run an incredible time of 1:00:00, and finished 130th place. This was a personal best time also for Deacon. The trio did amazingly well, all to finished with personal best times, within a very popular race of 20,000 other athletes taking part.  Saturday saw Paul Wright and Kathy Saunders complete the Lanhydrock Park Run. A 5k route, with 144 athletes taking part in the race, which takes athletes around the Lanhydrock estate, taking in some beautiful scenery. While Julie Gregory competed in the Park Run at Eden. Another fantastic location for a free to enter 5k Saturday morning run. Lisa and Rob Kernaghan ran in the Bryn Bach Park Run, where Rob achieved first in his age group. Last week also saw the Pioneers run another Return To Pioneers session, starting at the earlier time to the regular club runs, of 6pm. These sessions have been set up by the club, to encourage people who have been out of running for a while, maybe due to injury or another reason. Other Return to Pioneers sessions are planned for up and coming Thursday evenings.
This weekend saw Looe Pioneers travel down to The Eden Project to take part in the Eden Marathon and Half Marathon. For Eden this is the 10th year of organising this event, and the race takes place over multi terrace and hilly route. Among the athletes taking part in the half marathon were Guy Cooper, who vowed never to do this race again having done it last year but returned this year. Guy completed the route in 2:53:07. Darren Hardwick, for Hardwick, this was his first Half Marathon, having only started club running in January with the Couch to 5K training scheme, crossed the finish line in 2:10:45. Jennine Fisher completed the run in 2:09:06. With three of the male Looe Pioneers, finishing the race, very close together. Clive Finnimore, completed the route in just under 2 hours, with a time of 1:59:58, with Christian Boyce coming in 2:01:10 and Jon Hoskin just after him, with a time of 2:02:08. Nina Bond, completed the 13.1 mile route in 2:43:00. Helen Lawes finished in 2:08:09 which was a personal best on the course for her, having completed the route 11 minutes faster than previous years. Along with Mandy Gibson, who completed in 1:44:44, which was a person best on the course for her too. Nick Pope achieved a person best for a half marathon completing the route in 1:51:01.  This week saw a massive team turn out from the Looe Pioneers, who competed in the Plymouth 10K race. Sunday morning was an early start for most of the athletes travelling over the border. The Looe Pioneers joined nearly 4000 other athletes competing in either the 5k or 10k runs. The race started on New George Street, then athletes run up and down Royal Parade, to Exeter Street, Gdynia Way, then along the embankment, just to turn around and run back the way they had come. With so many of the Looe Pioneers in attendance special mention should go to Di Foster, who completed the race in 57:45, which was a person best on last years efforts. Darren Hardwick who managed to achieve a personal best for the distance of 10K, having completed the 10k in 49:45. Personal bests also were achieved for Andy Urie (51:06), Sophie Wones (52:27), Jon Hoskin (52:29) and Christian Boyce (47:09). Mark Deacon came in 31st overall, out of the thousands of athletes that completed, with an impressive time 37:59. Dale Staff came in 82nd with a time 40:57. Jo Robinson who was the first female from the pioneers over the finish line, and she came in 106th, with a time of 42:14. Mark Grassam came in 151st with a time of 43:41. With Shaun Pengelly, completed the run in 1:14:59.   This week, saw the Looe Pioneers making the most of the late summer sun, lets hope it last, as many of the athletes still have a lot of races left to run this session. The past week has seen the Pioneers taking part in runs all over the southwest. However with the dark evenings, most runs are now limited to the weekends only. Sunday saw 10 Pioneers travel down to Truro to take place in the Half Marathon. This 13.1 miles route, is the 14th race in the Grand Prix series. The route is a hard and has two big hills to challenge athletes. The route takes the athletes from Truro town centre out to Feock, then the athletes loop back via on rural roads through Porth Kea. Mark Deacon came in first of the pioneers, with a time of 1:34:36, making him the 50th athlete to cross the finish line. Gary Williams completed the race in 1:35:35 which is a new personal best time for Gary. Mandy Gibson was the first female Pioneer who completed the route, with a time of 1:49:43. Just after the two hour mark was Rob Kernaghan (2:01:30), Clive Finnimore (2:02:00) and Helen Lawes (2:06:44). Followed by Tanya Elliott (2:18:04), Mick Torres (2:20:14), Andy Elliott (2:29:16) and Lynne Overd (3:08:42).  Saturday morning, saw Mick Visick compete in the Lanhydrock Parkrun. A beautiful 5K run, which takes place, like all Parkruns at 9 am on Saturday morning. Parkruns are free to enter and are mixed ability, so great for people who are new to running or returning post injury. Whereas Sandra Northcott and Jo Robinson took part in the Eden Parkrun. Sunday also saw, an all female team consisting of - Donna Gundry, Jay Wagstaff, Angie Pengelly, Sandra Northcott, Sandra Haynes and Emma Collins travel to Plymouth to compete in the Race around the Plym. A 5 mile run organised by Plymouth Coasters. The race which started at Marsh Mills roundabout, took the athletes along the embankment, over Laira bridge and back via the picturesque Saltram house. Emma came in first for the club finishing in 43:55, shortly afterwards followed by Donna with a time of 48:38. After her came Sandra Northcott, 49:09 then Sandra Haynes just over 30 seconds after her, with a time of 49:43. Jay and Angie who ran the whole route together completed in 53:24.  Sun shone on the Looe 10 Miler on Saturday February 23rd – with hundreds visiting Looe for the day and the weekend. The annual event had its first Saturday afternoon running, allowing runners from 22 different counties to enter, with many staying at either Tencreek or a local b&B or hotel. This year the event was supporting Cornwall Air Ambulance and its Heli Appeal – initial figures suggest over £4000 has been raised for this vital service. Andy the Airman was there for the day and began both the fun run and the main event. In the Calweton Vet fun run over 150 completed the 1 mile lap beside the river and quayside path with a strong fight in both the boys and girls competitions. In the 10 Miler cycle marshal Kieron Jewell set off at the head of the race at 1.30pm followed by 531 runners. He was quickly followed by Tony Brewer who led the race from mile 2, pulling away from the field by mile 4 and finishing in a time of 61 minutes and 13 seconds. Jim Cole and James Oke followed in second and third place. IN the women’s race Claudia Serien was victorious, plotting her way to victory after home favourite Mandy Gibson has led up the first hill. Sherrie Hair and Claire Mensing finished second and third, with Looe’s Mandy coming in 5th, and so winning a place on Cornwall Celtic trail running team. In a closely fought battle for top Pioneer Mark Deacon kept a strong hold on his position despite the best efforts of Dale Tedder – with Mandy outdoing Sally Crabb for the women’s team. Looe and Cornwall Councillor Edwina Hannaford was amongst a team of Pioneers who completed the race only a year after having completed the Couch to 5K programme. Looe 10 Miler would like to thank the support given from many local businesses and supporters including Looe Lions, Looe Fire Service, Gibson’s Ice Cream, Jays Removals, Cornish Tea and Coffee, Adrenalin Quarry, and so many more.      Looe Pioneer Ecstasy; Women's Team Placed First |
AuthorsDavid Doherty Archives
February 2020
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