Hayle Runners enjoy the hills at Duchy an Dinas 5

Hayle Runners enjoyed a successful outing at the inaugural Duchy an Dinas 5 on Sunday, October 11, claiming men’s team victory, two overall podium finishes and eight age-category prizes.

The new addition to the Cornwall Multi Terrain Race Series (MTRS), organised by St Austell Running Club, attracted runners to Lostwithiel for a challenging five-mile course featuring more than 1,000ft of climbing.

Taking in the historic surroundings of Restormel Castle, a crossing of the River Fowey and trails through the private woodland of the Restormel Estate, the route offered spectacular scenery alongside some punishing climbs and steep, technical descents.

Sixteen Hayle Runners, comprising eight ladies and eight men, took on the fifth race of the 2026/27 MTRS season, with several producing excellent performances on the demanding terrain.

Neil Hayhurst led the club home in 38:53, finishing third overall and securing victory in the Male 45-49 age category. Andrew James followed in 41:29, with Mark Williams (41:47) and Ian Curnow (42:22) completing the scoring quartet as Hayle claimed first place in the men’s team competition.

There was also an outstanding performance from Florence Davies-Kirsop, who finished third lady overall in 44:05 to secure her first overall race podium. Davies-Kirsop, who has developed a reputation within the club for her strength on hilly courses, also collected second place in the Female Under 35 category.

Hayle’s success continued throughout the age categories, with eight prizes collected in total.

Margaret Clark won the Female 65-69 category, while Frazer Humbles finished second in the Male 40-44s.

Hayle dominated the Male 45-49 category, with Hayhurst taking first, James second and Andrew Searle third, completing a clean sweep of the podium.

Williams and Curnow added another first and second for the club in the Male 55-59 category.

As the first running of the event, every finisher also established a course personal best, giving those returning next year a time to aim for.

“Duchy an Dinas was a challenging five-mile race, with more than 1,000ft of elevation putting everyone’s efforts to the test.

“An excellent result for our men’s team taking first place, alongside Neil Hayhurst and Flo Davies-Kirsop both achieving third place overall in their respective races, and eight Hayle Runners collecting age-category awards, made it a very successful trip to Lostwithiel.

“Thanks to St Austell Running Club for introducing this beautiful, hilly and sharply descending route to the MTRS calendar. Plenty of our runners have already said they’ll be back next year to take on the challenge again.”

Sam Robinson
Club Vice Chairwoman

Hayle Runners thanked St Austell Running Club and everyone involved in organising and supporting the new event, including the marshals and volunteers who helped make the inaugural Duchy an Dinas 5 possible.