Hayle Runners celebrate MTRS success at Tywarnhayle 10K

Hayle Runners had plenty to celebrate at the Tywarnhayle 10K on Sunday, October 4, with a men’s team silver, six age-category prizes and a remarkable collection of course personal bests.

The event also provided a fitting occasion for the presentation of the previous Cornwall Multi Terrain Race Series (MTRS) awards, with Hayle’s Liam O’Neill becoming the first runner in the club’s history to win the overall men’s series title.

Organised by Truro Running Club, the Tywarnhayle 10K was the fourth race of the 2026/27 MTRS season and attracted runners to Mount Hawke for one of the more demanding fixtures on the Cornish multi-terrain calendar.

Twenty Hayle Runners, comprising 12 ladies and eight men, tackled a challenging course featuring steep climbs, technical descents and spectacular coastal scenery.

O’Neill led Hayle home in 43:05, finishing fifth overall. Neil Hayhurst followed in 46:39, with Ian Curnow (50:02) and Mark Williams (51:24) completing the club’s scoring quartet as Hayle secured second place in the men’s team competition.

The club also collected six age-category prizes. Margaret Clark won the Female 65-69 category, while O’Neill finished second in the Male 35-39s and Hayhurst took third in the Male 45-49s.

Curnow and Williams claimed first and second respectively in the Male 55-59 category, while Jon Eldon secured victory in the Male 65-69s.

There were plenty of improvements further through the field, with several runners making substantial gains on their previous performances at the event.

Debbie Gossington recorded the biggest improvement, taking an impressive 17 minutes off her previous course time. Olivia Henwood improved by eight minutes, while Susan Thomas continued her recent run of personal bests with a six-minute improvement.

Brad Keenan and Melissa Tonkin each knocked five minutes off their previous times, while Eldon, Curnow and Deborah Sturges also celebrated course PBs.

“Race 4 of the MTRS series – “Tywarnhayle is not for the faint hearted. In part channelling your ‘inner mountain goat’ helps. Over 900 feet of elevation, with sea views appearing, making the climbs worthwhile.

“With the Hayle mens team taking 2nd place overall, and 6 age category prizes another excellent performance for Team Green. Alongside a number of excellent PB efforts on a tough course. And special mention to Debbie Gossington coming in with a 17 min course PB, I’m sure the chocolate, beer and medal felt like deserved rewards.”

Sam Robinson
Vice Chairwoman

Historic series victory for O’Neill

Following the race, attention turned to the presentation of the 2025/26 Cornwall Multi Terrain Race Series awards.

The series had attracted 696 individual competitors from 16 local clubs across its 12 races, with 374 men and 322 ladies completing at least one event.

For Hayle Runners, the standout achievement was Liam O’Neill’s overall men’s title, making him the first member of the club to win the MTRS championship.

O’Neill, who collected his award at Tywarnhayle, also secured first place in the Male 35-39 age category, completing an outstanding season across Cornwall’s challenging multi-terrain events.

Two more Hayle runners earned age-category honours. Jon Eldon claimed first place in the Male 60-64 category after completing all 12 races in the series, while Ian Curnow secured second place in the Male 55-59 category.

Florence Davies-Kirsop also enjoyed an excellent campaign, finishing eighth overall in the ladies’ standings in the series. She finished fourth in the Female Under 35 category, narrowly missing out on another podium place.

There were several other notable performances in the final age-category standings, with Claire Stone finishing fourth in the Female 40-44 category, Deborah Sturges fourth in the Female 60-64s and Andrew James fourth in the Male 45-49s.

“Winning the MTRS is a huge achievement in its own right, but becoming the first Hayle Runner to do it makes it particularly special. Liam’s put together a fantastic season and thoroughly deserves the recognition. We’re also delighted for Flo, who managed to finish eighth overall in her first completion of the MTRS.”

Richard Collett
Club Chairman

The Tywarnhayle 10K provided another encouraging result for Hayle in the new MTRS season, with the men’s team silver and numerous course PBs demonstrating the club’s continued strength across the challenging off-road events.

Hayle Runners thanked Truro Running Club and everyone involved in organising and marshalling the event, along with the supporters who cheered runners home.