The sights, smells and sounds of the Cornish summer may seem like a distant memory, but the efforts of dozens of Hayle Runners in August are still fresh in the mind.
At the very start of the month on August 3rd Hayle Runners proved their royal worth, being crowned kings and queens at Indian Queen’s half marathon.
A fantastic 56 Hayle Runners took to the road for a race in wretched weather. Melissa Nicholas, Fiona Gamble, Debbie Jayne, Lucy Paull, Corinne Gerrard and Andrea Simmons became the literal queens of the 2025 Indian Queens half marathon taking pole position for the ladies’ team.
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.
There was a jaw-dropping 16 age category prizes and some gargantuan efforts from all runners across this undulating half marathon through country lanes and minor roads. See the Indian Queens post for the full race report and timings.
Next up the golden sands of St Ives Bay were calling for 33 Hayle Runners just two days later on August 5th. The Green Army could be found among 188 competitors who took part in this Hayle Runners event for the Multi Terrain Race Series. If you’re looking for a race that perfectly captures the beauty of Cornwall, then look no further than St Ives Bay 10k.
Starting with a three-mile run across the beach from Hayle to Gwithian, runners faced a climb up the steps, before a further two miles of dunes as they made their way back.
The ladies’ team, consisting of Rebecca Quick (50:28), Teigan Turner, (58:51) Maddie Trewhella (59:40) and Kelly Bills (1:00:15) stormed home in second place.
In the team rankings, as well as placing second, Hayle ladies’ teams also took fourth, fifth and sixth position.
Hayle men’s team, made up of Liam O’Neill (40:04), Elliott Holmes (45:24), Samuel Goodwin (46:11) and Alex Brooks (46:32) matched the ladies’ team success, also taking silver.
Caroline (Caz) White placed second in the 65-69s and there were celebrations for several runners who took part in the race for the first time, including tail runner and Hayle run leader, Sam Robinson.
Full details and timings of the race can be found on our St Ives Bay 10K post.
Jo Heather gets another mention this month for her Aquathon in Penzance.
We gave her a shout out in July, but she actually completed the competition in August, so here’s another hurrah for Jo – along with Diane Warren who also took part.
As the race season continued it was next onto Sticker 5 on August 9th. A fearless 46 Hayle runners took part in this hot and hilly race through the B roads and country lanes of Sticker. An impressive 15 age category prizes were clinched, with the men’s team and ladies’ team taking second place respectively.
A stack of Hayle runners recce’d the new Stormforce route on August 13th ahead of its new shorter entry into the GP series next year.
August 16th saw several Hayle Runners take on The Rat. Chris Brown entered the Plague, a mammoth 64 miler. Michelle Fitt smashed the big one – 32 miles of the Black – in 9:15:58. The Red was taken on by Stuart Thomson (3:39:48), Ashley Williams (3:42:45) and Alex Brooks (3:50:50). Whilst the White – 11 miles – was completed by Rachel Thomson (3:03:40).
All of the races are off road, along the coastal path stretching the stunning south Cornwall coast path. Entrants are encouraged to ‘know their own capabilities’ for the races on ‘challenging coast path terrain’ that require ‘significant physical effort’. Needless to say, a huge congratulations to the Hayle Runners who took part.
A day later on August 17th Scorrier House welcomed various distances as part of the Gecko Gathering. There was a 5k effort for Peter Kearney, who came first in the men’s 60-69 category, he was joined by Jemma Kearney and Hannah White.
Teresa Moore took on the 10k, while Scorriergeddon was awaiting Helen Knowles and Kieran Murrant. Helen came 5th overall, first female with 8 laps in 5:15:00, and Kieran placed 8th.
Another monster effort from our Hayle Runners.
A brand-new road race tempted 17 Hayle Runners on August 20th, who took on St Agnes 5 Miler. This year was a test event and limited to 200 entries.
It started and finished in St Agnes village centre, taking runners around St Agnes Beacon, down to St Agnes Head, before continuing the loop around Beacon Drive to finish in the village centre.
Sam Farmer took second place overall, with Hayle ladies taking first place thanks to Fiona Gamble, Lee Strickland, Corinne Gerrard and Andrea Simmons. Hayle men snatched second thanks to Sam Farmer, Liam O’Neill, Daniel Strickland and Simon Jeffs.
Alongside that there were 11 age category prizes, and Anne Cobell took 2 minutes off her 5-mile Sticker time for the inaugural St Agnes race. Full details of the category winners can be found on our Facebook group, thanks to Fiona Gamble.
Hannah White proved there are athletes among us, taking part in the new Firebrand Beer Mile on August 23rd.
This unique race at Launceston Rugby Club is a beer-fuelled event where participants run a mile (4 laps) and drink half a pint before each lap. Hannah managed it in just 8:48, thirsty work indeed.
Elsewhere on August 23rd Jamie Gore entered the Torbay Twilight 10k. This virtually flat with fast tarmac course was held at Torbay Velopark in Paignton.
Finally, Ross Payne finished the month with the City to Sea Marathon. Starting at Exeter Quayside and following the Exe Estuary to Dawlish Warren to meet the half-marathons, the route follows the Sea Wall to Dawlishand the South West Coast Path to Teignmouth. It then travels across Shaldon Bridge to Shaldon with mainly flat tarmac and some gravel paths, before hilly trails all the way to Babbacombe Downs and the finish line.
Also, in August Margaret Clarke’s half marathon was from home in Hayle, along the coast path to Godrevy and back. Supported by her son Josh.
A great month of running by all.