race report


The ‘Eller 10 Mile, Millbrook, 31 Oct 2010

The all-conquering Musketeers triumphed again at another challenging race when they scooped prizes at the Eller race.

The ten-mile race in SE Cornwall is recognised as one of the toughest ten-mile races in the SW and therefore, only attracts a relatively small field.

Obviously, when the going gets tough, the tough get going – and set the standards.

Three trophies are now added to the Musketeers packed silverware cabinet – won by Sharon S (the beginners’/improvers’ coaching guru) and Rodney and Guy in their respective age categories.

The race is famous for its bad weather where rain and wind add to the challenge. Wind is the biggest foe because the route goes onto the high point of the Rame Head Peninsular and along exposed Whitsand Bay.

The race starts at Milbrook and runs along the estuary, the only truly flat part of the course, before climbing steadily for more than a mile and then mostly climbs until a steep descent round Cawsand before another long climb.

For once this race was blessed with fair weather and a moderate wind. Recent rain had, however, made the down-hills on the latter three miles of the race quite testing on the knees.

Runners who know the course would have been prepared for the last killer hill which should really be walked up as it is very steep and is very close to the finish – for which reserves of energy should be saved for a final burst over the finishing line.

Sharon did very well considering she is sacrificing her training to coach her prot̩g̩s Рnow they will be looking up to her even more star-struck.

Rodney seems to defy age and is putting his past injuries behind him. One his tips is to take a week off – resisting the temptation to continue to race beyond the body’s limits. He says the rest do him the world of good and this result proves that. It has also been a revelation to him and me that these so-called tough races seem to bring

best out of some of us – with times that compare very favourably with the Plymouth Half. If only we could replicate the grit and determination on that race.

Kev is also doing well, proving that being more selective with races is the best policy with him also. Having previously taken his dogs on races, this time Chris A left his dogs Bill and Ben with partner Tania for a walk and was able to post another success on his growing list of races without the hindrance of an extra eight legs.

The Musketeers are well established on the current racing scene and now the future looks bright with increasing membership and the stamp of approval for Sharon’s coaching and our training from the athletics authorities.

By Guy Boswell


Deviock Bounder 10 and Seaton Valley 5, 24 Oct 2010

Sharon the beginners’ and improvers’ guru escorted Julie Rhodes while Tracy also joined in the Seaton Valley 5 miles.

There had been worry the weather would hamper us because bad weather was forecast, but although it was wet and muddy on the five miler, this was no problem.

Sharon’s disciple Julie enjoyed her race and although she went off like a scalded cat was obedient enough to slow down under her coach’s wing and finished 35th out of 47. The muddy path along the river was picturesque, but did make it harder work than expected. So Julie not only has her first race under belt but also her first multi-terrain race.

Sharon’s aim was to allow her charges race experience, but within a training regime, ie take part in a race environment without the pressure and stress of competition that many of us feel sometimes holds us back in races. I know Sharon herself treats races like a training run in a mind game to avoid the pressure – and it does work, seeing her results!

Coming in just one second in front of the scalded cat was Tracy – not sure if she is a beginner or an improver.

Meanwhile, Chris Andrews and his two dogs Bill and Ben and I did the on-road ten miles. The honorary four-legged members had far more energy than the whole of the Musketeers combined and had to be allowed a run on Seaton beach while Chris rested his weary legs.

Speaking from my experience the ten miles is a tough course with little on the flat, but is scenic and enjoyable in an area of SE Cornwall little explored.

The race is well organised and the results were on the internet the same day – courtesy of Colin Bunting’s (Tamar Trotters) guest help. The café also provided free drinks before the race.

I would recommend it for anyone fancying their first off-road race – not too far and not too tough.

By Guy Boswell


Truro Half Marathon, 19 Sep 2010

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