Intrepid Musketeers Chris Andrews, Darren, Bryan and Guy tackled the new version of the Truro half Marathon.
All the talk in Darren’s car on the way down to the race was of the promise by the race organisers that the course would be less hilly.
However, that would not be saying much considering it is one of the most undulating races in the SW – ie very little flat and lots of hills throughout the course.
I and Chris were worried the organisers had taken the ‘fun’ or challenge out of the course, but the others were pleased at the prospect of an easier route.
However, after all this speculation Chris and I agreed at the finish that we had not been deprived of a challenge. Personally, I thought the course was probably even more of a test than before because of the major climb from the start.
The new course takes you up and up and up for several miles with little flat. Of course that does mean there is the respite of a downhill section on the way to the finish – so there were compensations.
Runners are also treated to lovely scenery along the river, just reward after the climb.
I guess the scenery might also have been a little therapeutic for Chris who was looking very pale and not his normal self in the car. It appeared he had been boozing the night before as part of his pre-race training.
Amazingly, whatever Chris had been taking seemed to have done little harm to his running and we were all amazed how well he did – which of course begs the question would he run even faster if we were stone-cold sober or would he benefit from a swift pint on the start line.
The organisers must have know his special dietary needs because the post-race goodie bag contained a tinnie of the local brew and before you ask — no it did not last long.
If beer is Chris’ secret then I’d like to know Bryan’s secret to his success. He did very well yet again and was a good example to the younger up and coming runner of the season – Darren, who was on form and could have done even better (his own words).
Truro is a lovely city and a good location for runners and supporters with good services at the beginning and finish and was well marshalled with a welcome bag of race treats. It would be good to see more than four Musketeers next year – sober or hung-over.
By Guy Boswell