The 11th annual Run Falmouth proved to be a sell out with the 600 places being snapped up weeks before the event.
On Sunday (March 12) the 2023 entrants set off on the 13.1 mile course in misty conditions with the winner, Steve Reynolds of the Truro Running Club crossing the line in a time of 1.16.56, just 35 seconds slower than the 2022 winner.
The race, which was nearly held up by a police incident in the Pendennis Head area, started at 10am with 516 runners setting off from Cliff Road below Run Falmouth’s new hosting venue at the Princess Pavilion.
Steve Reynolds led from the start in the half marathon that forms part of the Cornwall Glass Road Running Grand Prix Series; “It’s a challenging race and I certainly felt my legs on the last hill.
"I set off a bit quick but I managed to sustain the pace and I’m really chuffed to have come in first having come second last year.”
Steve crossed the finish line nearly three minutes ahead of second placed Aaron Benney from the Mile High Club who ended on 1.19.45.
First woman home was Emma Paull of Hayle Runners who clocked a time of 1.29.41; “I last did this race in 2016 and have subsequently taken time out to have children. "Now I’m back and though the course is very hilly, you just have to embrace it. It’s great to be running again and the support was superb.”
Some of the runners were using Run Falmouth as a training session for the forthcoming London Marathon including James Toseland of the Truro Running Club who’s raising money for race organisers Cornwall Hospice Care said: “The first half of the race was really good, then I had to get my head down and push to the finish. The good news is that I now feel really confident about London.
The charity matters to so many people and my Mum benefits from the Lymphoedema service that’s provided at both Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s Hospices.” James completed in a time of 1.45.21.
Run Falmouth attracts a wide range of entrants from serious club runners to people taking on personal challenges. Special mention should be made of Joseph McCarthy who ran in traditional mining gear, including a hard hat and lamp; “This was my first half marathon and it was horrible” he quipped, “I’m doing it in support of the team heading off to the International Mining Games in Australia next week.” Joseph finished in 2.18.04.
Race Director Jane Appleton says it was a successful day, she said: “The heavy rain held off and many of the runners appreciated finishing on the relatively level Cliff Road rather than last year’s uphill pull to the Ships and Castles car park.
"I’d like to thank the team at Princess Pavilions for the welcome, our co-hosts Falmouth Road Runners, Devon and Cornwall 4x4, Omega Medical and the army of volunteers without whom we just couldn’t run this half marathon.
"We’re now calculating how much the run has raised for our charity and we’ll be announcing the figure in the near future. The proceeds will help fund the nursing care we provide at both of our adult hospices.”
You can view the full results for Run Falmouth here: Results (thebat.biz) Entries will open for Run Falmouth 2024 in the coming weeks at www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk and the event will be on Sunday 17th March.
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