Hard, wet and hilly at Truro Half

Hard, wet and hilly. That’s how Truro’s Half Marathon was described by one Hayle runner who joined a further 44 from the club for this year’s city challenge.

Race 12 in the Cornish GP series, for many this was a definitive race in terms of overall placing – and the weather wasn’t going to give them an easy ride.

The final call on whether or not the race would go ahead was made the afternoon before, with heavy winds and rain predicted. But Hayle Runners are in fine form this season and had a point to prove, meaning there was no pulling out of this tough run.

Both Hayle men and Hayle ladies took first place, with 9 age category awards peppered throughout the results.

Liam Rowe, Neil Hayhurst – first in the 45-49 age category, Francis Malone Lee – third in the 45-49 age category, Edmund Bennett, Stanley Marsden and Liam O’Neill powered to the top of the leader board.

For the women is was Melissa Nicholas – third in the 35-39 age group, Fiona Gamble, Corinne Gerrard – first in the 55-59 category, Andrea Simmons – first in the 70-74 age group, Debbie Jayne and Arianna Caddy, who secured pole position. Arianna made the ladies team for the first time and clinched a half marathon PB.

Meanwhile, Debbie Harrison Webb placed second in the 55-59 category, Ian Curnow tool gold for the men in the 55-59 category and Rowan Muliss took gold in the 7-74 age group.

Jon Eldon’s first place in the 65-69 category means he’s now won his age category for the GP series with two races to spare, thanks to his max GP points throughout. And he took the top spot in style with a Truro Half Marathon PB of 1:37:07.

Celebrating he said: “What a club, well done everyone and thanks for all the support this year, couldn’t have done it without you.”

A special shout out goes to Soraya Williams who’s been training hard to complete her first half marathon and did so with smiles despite the weather. 

There’s PBs in her future if Laura Haghani is anything to go by. Laura ran her first half marathon in Truro in 2016, she tackled it again in 2017 and this year in 2025 completed it 21 minutes faster!

Laura made up one of the Hayle ladies second team, which placed fourth overall, knocking the crowns off Cornwall AC. Well done to the rest of the group – Anna Goodman, Naomi Ward, Kate Frame, Zoe Renowden and Louise Ollivier.

Truro Half Marathon is predominantly on road is not considered a PB course, due to two monster hills. The course starts and ends from Lemon Quay in the centre of the city, with a loop around central Truro before heading out to Porth Kea, Playing Place and Cowlands. However, Hayle Runners pulled off PBs a plenty this year, including Nathan Cudmore, in tough conditions.