Serious runners lined up next to fun runners to take part in the third annual Run Falmouth half marathon on Sunday which has already raised £7,000 for charity before sponsorship has been collected.
The event was organised by Cornwall Hospice Care as part of the Falmouth Spring Festival, but was also a guest event in the Cornwall Glass and Glazing Grand Prix Series. It was supported by 428 runners who came from near and far to take part.
The 13.1 mile route, which began and ended on The Moor, took in Pendennis Castle, Gyllyngvase Beach, through to Swanpool and Maenporth Beaches. Runners then headed inland to be cheered on as they passed through the villages of Mawnan Smith and Budock Water, before turning back through Penryn and into Falmouth town centre again where they were greeted by well-deserved cheers and refreshments.
Michael Birchmore, from Newquay Road Runners, was first over the finish line for the second year running, in one hour and 15 minutes which is a new course record. Justin Thomas, of Cornwall AC, was second and Alex Daniels of Newquay Road Runners was third.
The first female over the line was Isobel Wicks from Truro RC who completed the course in one hour 28 minutes, followed by Jessica Buscombe of St Austell RC in second place, and Joanna Herd of Newquay in third.
Rose Wiltshire, from Cornwall Hospice Care, was in charge of the event and said she was delighted with how many people had taken part. Registration fees alone have raised £7,000 for the charity, with more still to come in sponsorship.
She said: "We would really like to thank everyone who supported the race, the Falmouth Road Runners and Falmouth BID and town council for allowing it to happen, all of the volunteers and everyone who came out to cheer the runners on.”
Full results from Run Falmouth are online in the events and|challenges section of www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk.
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