On Thursday 23rd, Viv’s second Summer Tour began at The Copperhouse Pool, for a social trot around the picturesque Hayle area. 

And so it began, everyone looking forward to a new route and an enjoyable run, as the skies behind them suddenly turned (seasonably) black on the horizon. We soon set off at an impressive sprint.....straight into the nearest undergrowth!!  22 CAC runners huddled under trees and bushes beside the car park as the weather unleashed a violent rainstorm. Some seemed quite at home lurking in the bushes, I couldn’t possibly say who!

A bedraggled group soon emerged from the flower beds, keen to set off and warm up, splashing through the puddles. John Telford and Paul and Caroline Chesterfield kindly lead the runners on this run- firstly through Hayle, beside the viaduct and heading for St Erth on a quiet country road.

Soon the groups spread out and John headed our little posse, turning off the road onto a grassy track which wound alongside a small river. At this point we were probably all thinking ‘what a great route, nothing too strenuous here, all flat so far’. Until John lead us across a footbridge and uttered the words, “OK, just one hill here. But it’s half a mile long.... I’m not looking for any heroes!” It turned out to be a hill alright- think Treggy 7, but without the race adrenaline to get you up it!!

We all made it though and to stunning views from the top. Even the sun was out!! A quick wave to the other group- who must have tackled the hike up from another direction- as we set off cross country again. At this point John was admitting to losing his bearings a bit, but the theory of keeping going downhill until we met the sea suited us!

A slight U turn later and we spotted some of the other group who were wearing fluorescents (thank you!) and joined them, pretending we knew exactly where we were all along. We were described as sounding like a herd of wildebeest running up behind them- must have been puffing still after the extreme hill and extra cross country!

A final spurt through Hayle and back to Copperhouse and we’d all pretty much dried out and had a fab run.  A few headed for the pub and a well earned pint of something. Thanks to John, Paul and Caroline for organising a great Hayle run!

Next week’s Summer Run will be Thursday 30th July at 7pm, meeting at the Port and Starboard Fish and Chip Shop in Indian Queens, for a run around the Goss Moor area. (Hopefully there will be photos to accompany the next report). See you there!