The Cornish Marathon 2018

Looe Pioneer Ecstasy; Women's Team Placed First
The Cornish Marathon is a beast of a run; but the Pioneers just seem to love it even more, year on year. In 2014 and 2015 respectively the club sent just two runners and one runner respectively. Over the past three years that number has risen from 13 to 17 to Sunday’s grand collection of 19 heroes; Looe were the fourth biggest team present after St Austell, Plymouth Museketeers and East Cornwall. Roared around the moor by enthusiastic and hardy supporters, all of the runners managed at times to smile through adversity. Probably doubling the number of runners the Pioneer supporters thronged the Cornish Lanes, on bike and foot,  plying Pioneers, and all runners, with sweets and wholesome fodder to help push forward the increasingly aching thighs and calves. Special mention must go to Guy Cooper and the gang; the volume of support was unmatched and ensured everybody on the moor knew the Pioneers were running.
Just over two years ago neither Jon Jones nor Lynne Overd had put on a pair of running trainers in earnest; on Sunday both completed their maiden marathons with glorious success. Mark Deacon led the Pioneers field home in 3.19.36 – just 17 seconds slower than Kitson Benbow’s legendary Looe performance in 2014. A fierce battle between Gary Williams and Dale “Triathlon” Tedder was finally won by Dale on the Pensilva Plunge to the finish line. In the women’s race Jo Robinson took out a pair of wings and literally flew round the course, taking 45 minutes off her 2016 time of 4.14, finishing in 3.45, 3rd Cornish woman, 6th woman overall and first in her Cornwall age group. Jo led home the women’s team to incredible success in the Cornish Team Grand Prix, accompanied by Emma Langstaff (5th Cornish woman), Amanda Gibson (9th Cornish woman) and Sally Crabb (13th Cornish Woman). The Kinver Sisters tackled their first marathons in impressive style, matching strides like metronomes and both finishing in an awesome and identical 4.46.56 – they’re not twins but sometimes you wouldn’t know. The whole event was an unparalleled success and Looe Pioneers would like to officially thank Easy Cornwall Harriers for such an excellent event.