430 runners gathered in Falmouth, Cornwall on Sunday to take part in the town’s ‘Run Falmouth’ half marathon, organised by local charity Cornwall Hospice Care. Now in it’s second year, the race was part of the towns spring festival, and was a guest event in the Cornwall Glass and Glazing Grand Prix Series. It was well supported by local runners as well as many participants from further up the country.
The spring weather stayed fine for the runners to enjoy the stunning Cornish coastal and countyside scenery along the 13.1 mile route, which took in Pendennis Castle, Gyllyngvase Beach, through to Swanpool and Maenporth beaches. Runners then headed inland to be cheered on as they passed through the villages of Mawnan Smith and Budock Water, before turning back through Penryn and into Falmouth town centre again where they were greeted by well-deserved cheers and refreshments.
Michael Birchmore from Newquay Road Runners was first over the finish line, in one hour and eighteen minutes which is a new course record. Richard Pascoe of Mile High club was second and Jez Mancer of St Austell RC was third.
The first female over the line was Zelah Morrall from Cornwall AC who completed to course in 1 hour 28min, followed by Eleanor Davis of Newquay Road Runners in second, and Beth Popperwell of Mile High in third.
St Austell Running Club came first in the Mens Team competition and Newquay Road Runners won the Ladies Team Title.
Rose Wiltshire, from Cornwall Hospice Care, was in charge of the event and said she was delighted with how many people had taken part.
”It was lovely to see this event grow, with over 100 more runners than last years race”
She added that the charity had raised £7,000 from Run Falmouth through registration fees alone, with sponsorship money still to come in.
“We would really like to thank everyone who supported the race, the Falmouth Road Runners and Falmouth BID & Town Council for allowing it to happen, all of the volunteers and everyone who came out to cheer the runners on,” she said.
Full results from Run Falmouth are online at www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk in the ‘events and challenges’ section.
[…] Run Falmouth 1/2 Marathon Sunday 17th March 2013 […]