An encouraging total total of 38 club athletes (plus our Penair runners) braved the wind and heavy showers at  the Newquay Sports Centre.

The day started with the inaugural Under 11 races, which proved very successful with good numbers (69 finishers).  Quite a few of the CAC runners were representing their schools but Finlay Bray had an excellent run for 5th in the Girls race and Liam Littlejohn and Joss Mortimer ran very well for 3rd place (and a county  bronze medal) and 8th respectively in the Boys event.

The Under 13 Girls race was dominated by Penair School, with 6 runners in the first 11 home, most, if not all of them also club members.  It seems an appropriate time to thank Penair, their staff and helpers for all their work,  as the club, the county and the youngsters benefit hugely from their efforts.  Our team finished a valiant 5th, with Anna Ashbridge out-sprinting two others for 13th,  Jess Bolton coming in 23rd and Jenna Richards 25th.

Our Under 13 Boys, from being our weakest team, have been transformed into one of our strongest and they pulled off a fine team victory, sneaking home in front of Penair.  In a close finish for the medals, Callum Jones just beat Luke Millington to the silver medal  and Sam Williams backed them up well in 6th.

The Under 15 Girls race was dominated by Penair and CAC, with Penair winning easily and Cornwall AC beating the school's B team to 2nd place.  Amy Rundle (5th), Ellie Starr (6th) and Elisha Hurst (7th) packed well and were backed up by Lauren Whitford in 12th. 

Our Under 15 Boys triumphed and look a very strong team, with Owen Willets having probably his best run so far to really push Dean Scott and clinch the bronze medal.  James Waldie and Josh Williams had a fine battle, with Josh's sprint just prevailing to give him 6th,  two seconds ahead of  James.

The  Under17 Girls have been good right through the age groups and gained an easy team victory, with Elaina Gard showing a welcome return to form in 2nd.  She was well supported by Jenny Almey (4th), Bethany Alston (5th), and Charlotte Hurst (6th).  Great to see Kate Horam back on the country in 8th and Debbie Fleming (12th), bringing the B team home in 2nd place behind the A team.  Well done girls!

Our Under17 Boys had quality if not quantity, with Chris Dobson winning silver and holding off an improving Craig Cadwallader who won bronze.  Oh, for a third!

The Senior races were a bit of a disaster team-wise, affected by being the 4th race on successive weekends.  Due to several no-shows (not you Jo!) on the day, we could only put out two female athletes and didn't finish a team - we should have won it easily.  Sue Ogilvie finished a fine 4th overall and got the bronze medal in the County Championship race, as well as being 1st Vet.50.  Kate Maddever was 6th  and silver medallist in the Under 20 race, just 8 seconds behind the winner.   Both great efforts but spoilt by lack of support from others.

We had a pretty good turnout of 12 runners in the Senior Mens event, though with some of our best athletes missing we were beaten for the first time in years by a classy Newquay and Par outfit.  Dave was well and truly thumped by Kevin Toher and was followed in with some very encouraging performances, as four club athletes filled seventh to tenth places.  Tony Dunn was a bit race-rusty after 3 months onboard ship but ran well for 7th and Chris Mulroy was on for his best ever cross-country until falling twice and twisting his ankle, then stopping and falling on his knees (Lord, help us!) before getting up and finishing the last lap.  He's getting tougher though and stronger!!

Matt Pullen, international sailor and runner-up in the Turkey Trot, was 9th after putting on spikes for the first time in his life 10 minutes before the race and Nathan Gosling, back at Culdrose again, faded after a fast start but still showed some class by hanging on for 10th.  Mark Sayers in 16th just got the better of Dave Rowe, having to run in Truro colours, as they've affiliated for cross country now, with the irrepressible Ben Wedlock coming in quietly in 19th.  Terry Timms hung on well to bring home the B team in 3rd place, ahead of Dave Angilley in 23rd, John Waldie 24th and Roger Lock 25th.   

It's a shame that the quality of the senior's field (better than most of the Grand Prix road races) isn't matched by quantity - it would be great to see 100+ lining up for the race in the future.  Any ideas see Dave or Alan!