The Eden Project is a superb venue for the full and half marathon races that were held on Sunday as it is at the heart of the re-generation to return the area around St. Austell called the “Clay Country” that was scarred by industry and mineral extraction, including the “Cornish Alps” (large white spoil heaps), to its natural state and as the re-planting is undertaken, tracks and trails are being opened for public access.
It also has substantial infrastructure, facilities, car parking space and catering for a large event and is a magnificent example of how a disused clay pit has been adapted and turned into a world-class visitor attraction.
The Concept of the Eden Project Marathon and Half Marathon is to showcase this regeneration
work and to give the competitor the opportunity to witness the extraordinary scenery - both man made and natural - this area has to offer.
Both races share the same start and finish areas within the Eden Project and are run simultaneously but separately. Both are multi-terrain with the marathon being 40% road, 60% trail and the half marathon 70% road, 30% trail.
Both courses are “testing” as the region is hilly and the trails are very stony. The full marathon course is a figure of eight with the crossover being in the Eden Project. The competitors initially run on the Western loop and on their return to the Eden Project after 13.1 miles, then run the Eastern loop.
The competitors in the half marathon just run the Eastern loop.
This gives an opportunity for spectators in Eden to see some of the races and to browse around the Eden Project. Alternatively, there are excellent viewing points for spectators out on the course.
In heavy drizzle that lasted all day, 306 runners completed the full marathon that was won by Pete Roper of Poole AC in 2:46:11. Exmouth Harrier Dave Stone ran superbly to take 3rd place in 2:59:55.
Harriers also featured in the half marathon that was won by Chris Thompson of Aldershot, Farnham & District in 1:18:41. Andy Kennedy was 192nd in 1:54:24, with Denise Kennedy 607th in 2:25:29, out of the field of 773 runners.
On the same day, three veteran Exmouth Harriers journeyed to South Molton to take part in the inaugural "Struggle" which is a 12 kilometre multi terrain course.
In persistent drizzle the race started close to the South Molton Rugby Club. The course climbed slightly along the tarmac road surface before quickly turning left into the Community woods and thereafter through the local recreation grounds, both surfaces still being tarmac.
At the top of this incline the course followed a farm track, which was extremely wet and muddy under foot, the optional line being soft slippery mud or rutted water filled tractor tracks. This track led up to open fields where two styles were negotiated before descending to and then ascending from a stream that was crossed by way of a slippery footbridge.
The open fields emerged nearly 4 kilometres from the start, at a location called "Hill", which is aptly named. A descent followed along a short length of tarmac track before more open fields where a sharp left hand turn brought the runners on to the road, B3227. A level road for nearly 2 kilometres before a left turn brought the runners back to the bottom of the road ascending to the "Hill". A stretch of some 1250 metres of road rose about 250 metres before turning right to join the outbound length of the course.
The race was completed in the field of the rugby ground where the final 50 metre dash for the finishing line went from under the posts to the half way line.
The first runner home was Owen Evans, who was unattached, in a time of 47 minutes and 22 seconds.
Bob Woodall of Exmouth Harriers came in 30th overall place taking the first V60 prize in a time of 59 minutes and 2 seconds. He was followed by Ray Elston in 50th place, taking the first V70 prize in a time of 62:21. Ray in this impressive time would also have qualified for the second V60. Jim Wyatt completed the Exmouth trio in 72nd overall place in 68:09. Jim was the third V65.
A total number of 134 runners completed the course, the last runner home finishing in a time of 101:26.
Sunday also saw the Ten Mile Road Race Championships of the British Masters Athletics Federation in conjunction with the South West Vets AC Championships at the Isle of Portland.
The race was hosted by the Royal Manor of Portland Athletics Club. It involved a smaller lap of around 3.5 miles followed by a 6.5 mile loop that took runners down a scenic route to the lighthouse at the Bill of Portland. The route did not appear to be as scenic to the runners on the way back up!
The winner was Steven Way of Bournemouth AC in 54:54. Congratulations to Exmouth Harrier John Perratt, who was 1st South West V70 and 61st overall in 1:18:31. Les Turner was 2nd S.W. V65 and 80th overall in 1:31:12 and 89 runners completed the race.
Finally, the first of this season’s Brooks Westward League Cross Country series of six events took place at a new venue at Central Park, Plymouth and included two Exmouth Harriers.
The senior men’s event was won by K.Toher of Newquay/Par AC in 25:51. Exmouth’s Hugh Marsden came 3rd V50 and 48th overall in 31:16 and there were 130 finishers.
The winner of the ladies’ event was A.Gummow of Cornwall AC in 19:07. Dawn Teed was 63rd in 26:22 out of the field of 88 runners.
It also has substantial infrastructure, facilities, car parking space and catering for a large event and is a magnificent example of how a disused clay pit has been adapted and turned into a world-class visitor attraction.
The Concept of the Eden Project Marathon and Half Marathon is to showcase this regeneration
work and to give the competitor the opportunity to witness the extraordinary scenery - both man made and natural - this area has to offer.
Both races share the same start and finish areas within the Eden Project and are run simultaneously but separately. Both are multi-terrain with the marathon being 40% road, 60% trail and the half marathon 70% road, 30% trail.
Both courses are “testing” as the region is hilly and the trails are very stony. The full marathon course is a figure of eight with the crossover being in the Eden Project. The competitors initially run on the Western loop and on their return to the Eden Project after 13.1 miles, then run the Eastern loop.
The competitors in the half marathon just run the Eastern loop.
This gives an opportunity for spectators in Eden to see some of the races and to browse around the Eden Project. Alternatively, there are excellent viewing points for spectators out on the course.
In heavy drizzle that lasted all day, 306 runners completed the full marathon that was won by Pete Roper of Poole AC in 2:46:11. Exmouth Harrier Dave Stone ran superbly to take 3rd place in 2:59:55.
Harriers also featured in the half marathon that was won by Chris Thompson of Aldershot, Farnham & District in 1:18:41. Andy Kennedy was 192nd in 1:54:24, with Denise Kennedy 607th in 2:25:29, out of the field of 773 runners.
On the same day, three veteran Exmouth Harriers journeyed to South Molton to take part in the inaugural "Struggle" which is a 12 kilometre multi terrain course.
In persistent drizzle the race started close to the South Molton Rugby Club. The course climbed slightly along the tarmac road surface before quickly turning left into the Community woods and thereafter through the local recreation grounds, both surfaces still being tarmac.
At the top of this incline the course followed a farm track, which was extremely wet and muddy under foot, the optional line being soft slippery mud or rutted water filled tractor tracks. This track led up to open fields where two styles were negotiated before descending to and then ascending from a stream that was crossed by way of a slippery footbridge.
The open fields emerged nearly 4 kilometres from the start, at a location called "Hill", which is aptly named. A descent followed along a short length of tarmac track before more open fields where a sharp left hand turn brought the runners on to the road, B3227. A level road for nearly 2 kilometres before a left turn brought the runners back to the bottom of the road ascending to the "Hill". A stretch of some 1250 metres of road rose about 250 metres before turning right to join the outbound length of the course.
The race was completed in the field of the rugby ground where the final 50 metre dash for the finishing line went from under the posts to the half way line.
The first runner home was Owen Evans, who was unattached, in a time of 47 minutes and 22 seconds.
Bob Woodall of Exmouth Harriers came in 30th overall place taking the first V60 prize in a time of 59 minutes and 2 seconds. He was followed by Ray Elston in 50th place, taking the first V70 prize in a time of 62:21. Ray in this impressive time would also have qualified for the second V60. Jim Wyatt completed the Exmouth trio in 72nd overall place in 68:09. Jim was the third V65.
A total number of 134 runners completed the course, the last runner home finishing in a time of 101:26.
Sunday also saw the Ten Mile Road Race Championships of the British Masters Athletics Federation in conjunction with the South West Vets AC Championships at the Isle of Portland.
The race was hosted by the Royal Manor of Portland Athletics Club. It involved a smaller lap of around 3.5 miles followed by a 6.5 mile loop that took runners down a scenic route to the lighthouse at the Bill of Portland. The route did not appear to be as scenic to the runners on the way back up!
The winner was Steven Way of Bournemouth AC in 54:54. Congratulations to Exmouth Harrier John Perratt, who was 1st South West V70 and 61st overall in 1:18:31. Les Turner was 2nd S.W. V65 and 80th overall in 1:31:12 and 89 runners completed the race.
Finally, the first of this season’s Brooks Westward League Cross Country series of six events took place at a new venue at Central Park, Plymouth and included two Exmouth Harriers.
The senior men’s event was won by K.Toher of Newquay/Par AC in 25:51. Exmouth’s Hugh Marsden came 3rd V50 and 48th overall in 31:16 and there were 130 finishers.
The winner of the ladies’ event was A.Gummow of Cornwall AC in 19:07. Dawn Teed was 63rd in 26:22 out of the field of 88 runners.
(LT)
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