Hayle Runners Achieve Strong Results at An Res Hellys Race

Hayle Runners delivered a powerful performance at the An Res Hellys race on 8th March, with runners from the club taking the top three places and collecting a remarkable number of podium finishes across multiple categories.

A total of 53 Hayle Runners took part in the fourth event of the Cornish GP series, tackling the tough 10-mile course that runs through the picturesque National Trust Penrose Estate and starts and finishes in Helston.

Podium sweep for Hayle Runners

The race began in spectacular fashion for the club, with the first three runners across the line all representing Hayle.

Sam Farmer led the field, completing the 10 miles in 56 minutes and 51 seconds to take first place. Daniel Millington followed in second with a time of 59:44, while Thomas Rosenfeld secured third place in 60:29.

Hayle Runners also dominated the wider standings, with six of the first ten male finishers coming from the club.

Team success across the board

The men’s team claimed gold thanks to the combined efforts of Sam Farmer, Daniel Millington, Thomas Rosenfeld, Neil Hayhurst, Ross Reilly and Liam O’Neill.

Hayle’s strength in depth was also clear in the team results, with the club’s second men’s team finishing second overall. That team featured Francis Malone-Lee, Peter Barnes, Jon Eldon, Dave Guffick, Ian Curnow and Chris Barrett.

The women’s team also secured silverware, with Emma Paull, Charlotte Bennett, Tear Lily, Lucy Paull, Corinne Gerrard and Tamara Kearney finishing in first place in the women’s team competition.

The race marked a return to competition for Emma Paull, who finished second in the women’s race.

Age category victories

Hayle Runners collected an impressive number of age category results.

For the women, Emma Paull took gold in the 40 to 44 category, Charlotte Bennett secured gold in the 50 to 54 category, and Margaret Clark won the 65 to 69 category. Tear Lily placed third in the under 35 category, while Soraya Williams finished third in the 65 to 69 category.

The men also saw success across numerous age groups. Sam Farmer and Daniel Millington finished first and second respectively in the under 35 category. Ross Reilly and Liam O’Neill secured gold and silver in the 35 to 39 category.

Thomas Rosenfeld and Peter Barnes finished first and second in the 40 to 44 category, while Neil Hayhurst and Francis Malone-Lee took gold and silver in the 45 to 49 category.

Ian Curnow finished third in the 55 to 59 category, Jon Eldon took gold in the 65 to 69 category, Rowan Muliss secured silver in the 70 to 74 category, Chunky Penhaul finished second in the 75 to 79 category, and Stewart Townend took gold in the 80 plus category.

One of the club’s strongest GP performances

Hayle Runners chairman Richard Collett praised the club’s performance.

Richard Collett said:
“An Res Hellys was a fantastic race for Hayle Runners. With 53 members on the start line we had a huge turnout, and the results showed the depth across the club, winning the ladies team competition and taking first and second in the men’s, with the men also filling the top three places overall.

It was also great to see Sam Farmer take his first GP race win and Emma Paull return to racing with second place in the ladies’ race. Alongside that we picked up 18 age category prizes, making it one of our strongest GP performances for a number of years.”

Personal milestones

Alongside the podium finishes, there were personal successes for other members of the club.

Theresa Clare recorded a 12-minute course personal best, while Tamara Kearney made the women’s team for the first time.