Hayle Runners made an impressive start to the 2026/27 Cornwall Multi Terrain Race Series by claiming men’s team gold at the Tywardreath Trotter, the opening race of the season.
Eighteen members of the Green Army took on the 20th running of the popular event on Saturday, July 25th, tackling approximately 6.8 miles of challenging multi-terrain around the countryside surrounding Tywardreath. Organised by local volunteers, the race combines woodland trails, fields, country lanes and testing climbs, providing a fitting start to the new MTRS campaign.
Hayle’s men produced a strong team performance to take first place, with Neil Hayhurst leading the quartet home ahead of Andrew James, Jon Eldon and Mark Williams.
Florence Davies-Kirsop was the first Hayle lady across the line, finishing an excellent fifth female overall while also winning the Female Under 35 age category.
The club celebrated four age-category prizes in total. Alongside Davies-Kirsop’s victory, Mark Williams won the Male 55-59 category and Jon Eldon topped the Male 65-69 category, while Neil Hayhurst finished second in the competitive Male 45-49 category after placing inside the overall top 10.
Several runners also recorded impressive course personal bests. Sam Robinson produced the standout improvement, taking an incredible 16 minutes off her previous best around the course, while Andrew James continued his recent run of form by lowering his best by a further six minutes. Melissa Tonkin and Jon Eldon also recorded course PBs.
“The Tywardreath Trotter has a real village celebration feel to it. It’s one of those races where the whole community gets behind the event, and that’s a big part of what makes it such a great way to start the new MTRS season.
“To start the series with a men’s team victory and four age-category awards was an excellent result. It was also great to see Florence finish fifth lady overall, and the number of course PBs shows plenty of runners have put in some strong work since last season.”
Richard Collett
Club Chairman
Hayle Runners would like to thank the local organising team, marshals, volunteers and supporters for staging another excellent Tywardreath Trotter.
Hayle Runners full results
Florence Davies-Kirsop – 0:58:18
Samantha Dixon – 1:35:40
Jon Eldon – 0:49:32
Neil Hayhurst – 0:46:21
Olivia Henwood – 1:25:40
Frazer Humbles – 0:53:49
Andrew James – 0:49:06
Jennie Massey – 1:43:15
Kate Prosser – 1:14:24
Sam Robinson – 1:28:58
Andrew Searle – 0:54:12
Helen Squire – 1:23:40
Mark Squire – 1:20:42
Claire Stone – 1:27:45
Deborah Sturges – 1:32:06
Melissa Tonkin – 1:30:38
Darren Uren – 0:59:55
Mark Williams – 0:51:06