The weekend began with the inaugural Pasta Party at the Penventon Park Hotel and what a success that was with over 100 turning up, including many from 'up country', to enjoy an excellent range of  pasta dishes.

Carbonara, Bolognese and Arrabiata, as indicated by Norris (in the background)

Adrian 'fuelling up' for the next day

There was no way past Emma!

.....and so to the Marathon day

With only one cold hail shower, both runners and marshals got away quite lightly on Sunday.  Highlights were a superb effort by Kevin Heywood of Bideford in the 20 and great runs by the CAC men’s team, led in by Adrian Ball’s fine 2nd place. 

The “Duchy” was won by Ollie Gibson of Newquay, who hung on well for victory, after passing the early leader on their second lap.  Second and closing rapidly towards the end, was Adrian, with a magnificent personal best by more than 5 minutes, clocking 2 hours 49 minutes and 16 seconds, despite that tough headwind on the North Cliffs.  Jason Pascoe accompanied Adrian on the first lap, before gradually losing touch.  He lost a couple of places right at the end but came home well in 2.58.47 for a fine 6th place. 

One of the four drinks stations expertly managed by the ATC Cadets

Dave Southby, who’s been keeping a low profile recently, was another man on a mission, coming home in 14th for a massive 11 minute improvement on last year and it was looking good for the team event.  We were looking keenly for Tony Shaw to bring the team home and he didn’t disappoint, with a great run to place 47th in 3.39.20, giving CAC second place.

Tony, enjoying a well deserved drink

The Men's team enjoying a well deserved sit down

In the ‘20’, Kevin Heywood blitzed everyone from the start and cruised home in 1.47.29, looking very good in his London build-up.  Jon Keast was the first of our eight runners home with a very solid 2.01.38, taking nearly 3 minutes off last year’s time and should do some damage to his personal best in London. 

Jon, second in the '20', running alongside the Marathon winner, Ollie Gibson.

Steve Wherry had a solid run in 2.26.21 for 23rd, just ahead of Phil Bolt in 25th, who’s still improving with every race and finished in 2.27.33.  Donna Jenkin cruised around in 2.32 for 3rd lady but as with all our runners in the 20, was only taking it as a training run for London.  Sarah Keast was feeling so good she almost managed a human face at the finish (photos on http://www.melbonfield.co.uk/ )!  She ran 2.35 for 40th position.  Andy Reynolds is getting fit again and ran 2.53.32 and the “Hedgehogs” (so called for their refusal to go further than Scorrier on the tramway as it involves crossing a road!), Nikki Coleman and Sam Alexander, ran incredibly well to knock nearly half an hour of last year’s times with 3.13.42 and London should be a breeze.

Great runs from our 'hedgehogs', Nikki and Sam

What an asset the Police Cadets are at our races

Well done to all and many thanks to those who marshaled and supported the runners on their way round.