Double first for Hayle Runners at Indian Queens Half Marathon

Hayle Runners proved their royal worth being crowned Indian Queens and Kings at last Sunday’s half marathon.

Number nine in the Cornish GP series saw a fantastic 56 Hayle Runners take to the road with a phenomenal result from the men’s and ladies’ teams.

Melissa Nicholas, Fiona Gamble, Debbie Jayne, Lucy Paull, Corinne Gerrard and Andrea Simmons are the literal queens of the 2025 Indian Queens half marathon taking pole position.

Proving they’re part of the king’s green army, the men’s team, consisting of Liam Rowe, Francis Malone-Lee, Liam O’Neill, Edmund Bennett, Ross Reilly and Stanley Marsden stood proud at the very top of the winners’ podium.

As a race run in mid-summer, competitors have come to expect a beasting from the sunshine, but not this year. The Cornish mizzle was in full effect, soaking those who ran straight into a headwind in the last mile.

“We went into Indian Queens this year with a few nerves, as some of our fastest runners were unavailable – but, as ever, the strength in depth across the club more than made up for it. In true Cornish fashion, the weather was mizzly and the course was still “flat for Cornwall,” but that didn’t stop us.

56 Hayle Runners crossed the finish line, including a few proudly wearing the green vest for the first time. With sixteen age category wins and both the men’s and ladies’ teams taking first place, it was a brilliant day for everyone in the club.”

Richard Collett
Club Chairman

It wasn’t just the royal table that impressed at Indian Queens, every single member of the Hayle Runner team put in a gargantuan effort in difficult conditions. From the runners who got personal bests, of which there were many, to those who dragged themselves across the finish line with moments before the three-hour cut off, and those who powered despite the ‘official’ end time.

There was a jaw-dropping 16 age category prizes, which included: Liam Rowe taking gold in the under 35s, Liam O Neill’s second place in the 35-39, Ross Reilly in third in the 35-39 category, Francis Malone-Lee smashing first place in the 45-49 category, with Edmund Bennett following close behind in the 45-49 category. Meanwhile Simon Jeffs took third place in 50-54, Jon Eldon entered a new age category having just tipped into the 65-69 but raced to first place yet again. Rowan Mulliss celebrated third in the 70-74, with Chunky Penhaul celebrating second in the 75-79 category. And our 80+ hero Stewart Townend proved his race prowess yet again taking gold.

The women held their own with Melissa Nicholas scooping silver in the 35-39, sweeping her success as the first Hayle lady and coming seventh lady overall. Beer and chocolate for her dad as her number one cheerleader!

Fiona Gamble matched her fiancé’s silver win in his category, taking second place in the 40-44 category – there’s some impressive silverware in that house! Debbie Harrison Webb also took second place in the 55-59, with Andrea Simmons proving, yet again, age is just a number smashing a first place in the 70-74 category. Diane Warren was hot on her tail coming second in the same category.

Hayle also made fourth place in the men’s team category, thanks to Kieran Murrant, Simon Jeffs, Jon Eldon, Ashley Williams, Todd Reynolds, and Dominic Turton. Go Hayle!

Hayle Runners prides itself on being Cornwall’s friendliest running club and proved it with club chairman Richard Collett helping Rosanna Whitton power to a PB. Ruby King and Zac Jones smashed their own PBs and Laura Haghani was on a mission taking an impressive 14 minutes off last year’s time.

Yvonne Watkins kept a tearful Suzie Smith going to the finish line. Ultra runner Yvonne promised Suzie she’d finish in under three hours – and helped her cross the line in 2.57:28.

The effort it takes to keep pushing past the three-hour mark was shown in abundance as Sam Collier, Sam Dixon and Sam Kearney crossed the finish line with blistered feet and proud faces. Meanwhile Helen Squire described herself as ‘humbled’ to make Hayle ladies third team for an emotional and physically hard run.

The undulating half marathon route takes runners around country lanes and minor roads with about five miles of the course on the Goss Moor trail. That final mile was described by one Hayle runner as a ‘mirage’ as the long stretch seems endless after a long gradual uphill slog to the bright yellow and black finish line arrow.