Double silver for Hayle Runners at sizzling Turkey Trot

Hayle Runners continued their Cornwall Grand Prix campaign with another strong team performance at the Turkey Trot on Wednesday, July 15, collecting men’s and ladies’ team silver along with an impressive 12 age-category prizes.

Fifty-one members of the Green Army travelled to Redruth for the ninth race of the GP series, tackling four fast but demanding miles in extremely hot conditions. Starting with a lightning-fast opening mile, the route took runners up through Illogan before returning to the finish along the Redruth bypass, with the summer heat making the pace even tougher to maintain.

Despite the conditions, Hayle’s ladies secured second place thanks to Emma Paull, Teigan Turner, Charlotte Bennett, Tear Rogers, Gail Aspden and Tamara Kearney.

The men’s team also finished runners-up, led home by Sam Farmer, who celebrated a personal best by a single second. He was joined in the scoring team by Jacob Gardner, new member Amar Musneckis, Francis Malone-Lee, Neil Hayhurst and Samuel Little.

There was further success across the age categories, with Hayle Runners collecting 12 podium places.

Emma Paull won the Female 40-44 category, Charlotte Bennett claimed gold in the 50-54s, Gail Aspden secured silver in the 55-59 category, Kate Prosser celebrated bronze in the 60-64s and Diane Warren continued her excellent season by winning the 70-74 category.

For the men, Sam Farmer topped the 20-34 category, Jacob Gardner finished second in the 35-39s, Francis Malone-Lee won the 45-49 category ahead of teammate Neil Hayhurst in second, Steven Wherry claimed bronze in the 60-64 category, Jon Eldon secured another victory in the 65-69s and Stewart Townend rounded off the podium finishes with third place in the 80+ category.

There were several other reasons to celebrate, with Amar Musneckis making an outstanding debut in a Hayle vest by immediately earning a place in the men’s scoring team. Kate Prosser also enjoyed a memorable first race for the club, claiming an age-category podium at her first attempt.

Despite the soaring temperatures, Sam Kearney and Mark Squire both knocked more than two minutes off their previous course bests.

“The Turkey Trot always starts at a silly pace courtesy of an all downhill first mile. Add to that a very warm summer evening and four miles suddenly feels a lot longer than it looks on paper.

“To have both teams finish second and bring home another 12 age-category prizes was another excellent evening for the club. It was particularly pleasing to see Amar make such an impressive debut in green, Kate pick up an age-category award in her first race for the club and Sam find a marginal gain by shaving a single second off his previous best for the course.

Richard Collett
Club Chairman

Hayle Runners would like to thank Cornwall AC, the marshals, volunteers and supporters for organising another excellent edition of the Turkey Trot, as well as Tricky’s Hotel, Bar and Restuarant for hosting the event.