Seeking a higher standard of competition on a flat, fast course, ten Cornwall Athletic Club runners took part in one of the country’s top races last Sunday, the Bath Half Marathon.  Five of the group produced personal best performances, led by Jo Friday, who smashed her previous fastest half marathon time, finishing fifteenth in 1 hour 22 minutes 50 seconds, despite tiring over the last four miles  Teammate Helen Pearson showed signs of a return to form in her build up for the London Marathon, finishing just two places and thirty one seconds behind Jo in 1 hour 23 minutes 21 seconds.

Helen on the comeback trail

Emma Stallard had a very encouraging first big race, clocking 1 hour 33 minutes 27 seconds, crossing the line in 49th place out of the 1581 female finishers.  Jill Curtis also ran superbly to set a personal best time with 2.02.42.  The icing on the cake was that the girls finished 4th team, behind two very strong Bristol and West Athletic Club teams and the City of Bath club.

Emma tasting the 'Big Race Atmosphere' for the first time

On the men's front the bad news for Dave Buzza was that he was beaten by a woman and a 52 year old, while the good news was that at least it wasn't a 52 year old woman!  Dave ran two minutes quicker than last year, finishing 25^th in 1 hour 10 minutes 35 seconds and claiming the third veteran’s prize in the 40-44 age group.  Terry Timms showed few ill effects from his recent Duchy Marathon as he builds up for London, clocking 1 hour 24 minutes 51 seconds for 16th in the Vetreans 45-49 category.  Ken Curtis had a fine finish to come 588th overall out of the 8165 finishers in 1.31.46 and his groin injury is now well and truely behind him.  At least that’s what Jill says!  Danny Marsh couldn't quite cope with Ken's finish but was not far behind in 1 hour 33 minutes 19 seconds for 692^nd position.

Paul will have learnt much from his Bath outing

Paul Reeve learnt much from his first big race experience and despite starting too fast, hung on well, clocking 1 hour 47 minutes 52 seconds, placing 2,253^rd.  Noel Kindon unfortunately drove some of the team all the way up and back, only to have to drop out with sciatica problems but will hopefully be back in action soon