Hayle Runners crowned 2026 Cornwall Grand Prix champions

Hayle Runners rounded off an outstanding season at the Cornish Marathon on Sunday, November 1, securing both the men’s and ladies’ team championships in the 2026 Cornwall Grand Prix.

The club’s success was confirmed following the 15th and final race of the series, completing a remarkable year in which 181 Hayle Runners competed in at least one Grand Prix event.

There was plenty to celebrate at the marathon itself, with Daniel Costello claiming overall victory, Emma Paull winning the ladies’ race, and Hayle collecting men’s team gold, ladies’ team silver and six age-category prizes.

Organised by East Cornwall Harriers, the Cornish Marathon is renowned as one of the toughest road marathons in the region, with more than 675 metres of elevation gain across its demanding 26.2-mile course.

Twenty-four Hayle Runners tackled the challenge, setting off in misty, chilly conditions before the mist gradually lifted to reveal blue skies and sunshine.

The course took runners through some of Cornwall’s most picturesque countryside, with enthusiastic support along the route. Crowds gathered at Golitha Falls could be heard cheering from more than a mile up the valley, while Bolventor once again proved a particularly popular spot for spectators encouraging runners through the later stages.

Costello and Paull claim marathon victories

Daniel Costello produced an exceptional performance to win the marathon outright in 2:38:36, finishing more than seven minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

The victory came just a month after Costello set a new Hayle Runners club record at the Manchester Half Marathon, making his performance on the notoriously hilly Cornish Marathon course all the more impressive.

Emma Paull continued her remarkable season by claiming the ladies’ title in 3:11:59, finishing 18th overall and adding another victory to an already impressive collection of Grand Prix results.

Liam O’Neill was just ahead of Paull in 17th overall, finishing in 3:11:51, while Stephen Fuller (3:14:20) and Ian Curnow (3:16:50) completed Hayle’s scoring quartet as the men secured first place in the team competition.

The ladies also enjoyed a strong showing, with Paull joined by Corinne Gerrard (4:08:29), Tamara Kearney (4:10:21) and Helen Knowles (4:21:29) to claim second place in the team competition.

Hayle collected six age-category prizes, with Costello winning the Male Under 35 category and Paull taking first place in the Female 40-44s.

O’Neill finished third in the Male 35-39 category, Fuller took third in the Male 55-59s, while Kearney and Gerrard collected third places in the Female Under 35 and Female 55-59 categories respectively.

Personal bests and marathon milestones

There were several notable achievements further through the field, with runners celebrating personal bests, marathon debuts and significant milestones.

Andrew James produced one of the standout improvements, completing the demanding course in 3:47:43, more than 38 minutes faster than his previous Cornish Marathon performance.

Frazer Humbles also enjoyed an excellent run, finishing in 3:42:00 and taking more than 32 minutes off his previous course time. His performance was also a new marathon personal best, improving on the 3:43:23 he recorded at the Manchester Marathon in 2025, despite the considerably more demanding terrain.

Ian Curnow improved his Cornish Marathon best by more than five minutes, while Corinne Gerrard and Nicholas Peters also recorded course PBs.

For five Hayle members, the race marked their first marathon. Tamara Kearney, Samuel Little, Scott Redrup, Marcus Lynch and Macourey Brooklyn all completed the distance for the first time, with Brooklyn producing an impressive debut of 3:25:09.

David Wilding combined the marathon with celebrations for his 50th birthday, while Mark Squire returned to the distance for the first time in 12 years.

Competing in the Male 70-74 category, Squire finished in 5:45:09, adding another marathon to a remarkable lifetime tally of more than 60.

Hayle Runners crowned Grand Prix champions

The conclusion of the Cornish Marathon also brought the curtain down on the 2026 Cornwall Grand Prix, with Hayle Runners confirmed as champions of both the men’s and ladies’ team competitions.

Having shared the honours in the previous season, the club secured both titles outright in 2026, reflecting the strength and consistency of its runners across the 15-race series.

Hayle’s success extended well beyond the team competitions.

Emma Paull was crowned overall ladies’ Grand Prix champion following an outstanding season, while Sam Farmer secured second place in the overall men’s standings.

The club also claimed an impressive 18 age-category podium finishes across the series.

In the ladies’ competition, Tamara Kearney won the Under 35 category, with Tear Rogers finishing second. Paull claimed the Female 40-44 title, Charlotte Bennett won the Female 50-54 category, Margaret Clark finished second in the Female 65-69s and Diane Warren won the Female 70-74 category.

Among the men, Farmer won the Under 35 category, with Daniel Millington taking third. Liam O’Neill finished third in the Male 35-39s, while David Guffick collected third in the Male 40-44 category.

Francis Malone-Lee won the Male 45-49 title, with Neil Hayhurst taking second, while Ian Curnow and Mark Williams finished second and third respectively in the Male 55-59 category.

Steven Wherry won the Male 60-64 category, Jon Eldon claimed the Male 65-69 title, Chunky Penhaul finished second in the Male 75-79s and Stewart Townend took second in the Male 80+ category.

Across the season, 181 Hayle Runners participated in at least one Grand Prix race, with 52 completing the series by taking part in eight or more events.

Four members went a step further, completing every one of the 15 races. Samuel Little, David Wilding, Darren Uren and Mark Squire demonstrated remarkable consistency and commitment throughout the year.

The club’s success was built on strength in depth, with runners contributing across multiple scoring teams and a wide range of ages and abilities.

“We came agonisingly close to winning both team championships outright last year, so to finish this season with both titles belonging to Hayle is particularly satisfying.

“What makes me proudest isn’t just the results at the front. It’s that 181 of our members have contributed across the season. We’ve had runners turning up week after week, some chasing podiums, others chasing personal bests, and plenty simply enjoying being part of it.

“Our A teams have been outstanding, but so have the B, C and D teams, and everyone else who’s pulled on a Hayle vest throughout the year. It’s that depth of participation and willingness to turn up for one another that makes this club special.

“These championships belong to the whole club, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”

Richard Collett
Club Chairman

The official 2026 Cornwall Grand Prix awards will be presented at the Falmouth Mob Match on Sunday, November 29, where Hayle’s runners will have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements together.

Hayle Runners thanked East Cornwall Harriers, the marshals and volunteers who helped deliver another memorable Cornish Marathon, and the many supporters who provided encouragement and entertainment around the course.