Dave stone and Dave Wright made their annual trip to the Duchy last Sunday (17th November) for the Cornish Marathon. This is one of the toughest marathons in the country in terms of hilly and rugged terrain and the fact that it is staged in November doesn't usually bode too well for good weather. This year, however, was the exception, as runners were blessed with balmy conditions for the time of year with virtually no wind, even up on the higher parts of Bodmin Moor around Jamaica Inn. This is a low-key, friendly, but well organised race, staged by the East Cornwall Harriers. The rewards for runners are plentiful with a tee-shirt, medal and Cornish pasty awaiting all those who complete.
Dave Stone, our 26.2 specialist, went one better that last year, when he was just pipped to the finish line in a final sprint finish, and run out of the placings. He made up for it this year though with a comfortable 3rd place in a time of 2:50:28; one of his fastest times on the course. He was first Man Aged 40 – 44.
In recent years, Dave Wright has joined Dave Stone on his annual pilgrimage to Kernow Country and this year, despite struggling during parts of the race with a hip injury that Dave reports flares up whenever he really ups his mileage for marathon training, he showed real grit and determination in battling on to the end, even though in discomfort, to finish in a respectable time of 3:35:15. This placed him well up in the overall rankings, 67th, and well up the pecking order in the MV50 section (7th). Dave's time was only 2 minutes slower than when he last ran the race in 2011 and he stated that, but for the injury, he felt fit and full of running. Hopefully he can get on top of that niggle and 2014 will see him setting some personal best performances.
Around 300 athletes took part in the event. Well done to both our Harriers for being in the thick of the front-running action!
Exe-rated runners!
The successful Harriers team, en masse, at the Erme Valley Relays, July 2013
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