When Pioneers became RATS

Last weekend saw the annual Roseland August Trail Series, more commonly known as the RAT. There are 4 different length routes, starting with white at 11 miles, red being 20 miles, black being 32 miles and finally the Plague being 64 miles. Regardless of the distance, each is a highly challenging experience, taking place on the South Cornwall Coastal Path, over undulating paths, through villages and countryside. Each of the routes follow the same part of the coastal path, with the 4 different routes joining and leaving at various locations. 

Emma Langstaff and Sally Crabb, took on the Plague route, covering 64 miles. The run starts at midnight, and involves several hours of night running. Starting at Pentewan Valley, near St Austell, and takes the athletes on to the Coastal path, running past Ropehaven Cliff Nature Reserves. Then athletes get to enjoy running down hill to Pentewan and on to Mevagissy. From here athletes run along to Gorran Haven, reaching the 18th mile and one of the highest points of the race. From the 36th mile, runners are given a slightly easier and less hilly terrain, at St Anthony Head, athletes turn to complete the same route back to the start point. Starting on the slightly easier terrain until the 63rd mile, when the hills kick in, From here the terrain becomes much harder and involves steep hills and major descents. 

Emma Langstaff completed the route in a staggering 14:48:20. Emma was the first female back, and collected her trophy at the end of the day.
Sally Crabb finished the route in 15:49:42

Several Looe Pioneers took on the Black RAT, a 32 mile route, starting at a slightly more reasonable 8:30 in the morning. With this run starting at St Anthony and completing the same final 32 miles of the plague route. For these runners, they get the slightly easier  terrain for a few miles, however nearing the middle of route, the terrain becomes much more intense for the athletes.
Jo robinson came back first for the Pioneers with a time of 6:12:39

Nikki Williams, who has been training incredibly hard and this was her first entry to the RAT, completed the route in 7:34:14. With Cheryl Broas,
Alison Catnach and Dale Staff all competing in a time of 7:48:12. Nick Pope injured his back during the run but still finished in a time of 8:35:09 with Andy Crabb completing the route in 9:41:40.