What 1,000ft of climbing did for Hayle Runners at Duchy an Dinas 5

Five miles doesn’t sound like much. Add more than 1,000ft of climbing, a crossing of the River Fowey and a run of steep, technical descents, and it becomes a very different sort of Sunday morning.

That was the challenge facing runners at the first ever Duchy an Dinas 5 in Lostwithiel on Sunday 11 October. And for Hayle Runners it turned into a day to remember, with a men’s team win, two overall podium finishes and eight age-category prizes heading back west.

A new hill race on the MTRS calendar

The race is the newest addition to the Cornwall Multi Terrain Race Series (MTRS) and was organised by St Austell Running Club.

The route passes the historic surroundings of Restormel Castle, crosses the River Fowey and heads through private woodland on the Restormel Estate. Spectacular scenery, yes. But also some punishing climbs and descents that demanded care on the way down.

Sixteen Hayle Runners lined up for the fifth race of the 2026/27 MTRS season, and several of them produced excellent performances on the demanding terrain.

A team win and a podium double

Neil Hayhurst led the club home in 38:53, finishing third overall and winning the Male 45-49 category.

Andrew James followed in 41:29, with Mark Williams (41:47) and Ian Curnow (42:22) completing the scoring four as Hayle took first place in the men’s team competition.

In the women’s race, Florence Davies-Kirsop finished third lady overall in 44:05 to claim her first overall race podium. Florence has built a reputation within the club for her strength on hilly courses, and she also collected second place in the Female Under 35 category.

Eight age-category prizes

The success carried on right through the age groups for the Hayle club.

Margaret Clark won the Female 65-69 category, while Frazer Humbles finished second in the Male 40-44s.

The Male 45-49 category was a clean sweep, with Neil taking first, Andrew James second and Andrew Searle third.

Mark and Ian added another first and second for the club in the Male 55-59 category.

As this was the first running of the event, every finisher also set a course personal best, which gives anyone returning next year a time to chase.

“Plenty of our runners have already said they’ll be back”

Hayle Runners Vice Chairwoman Sam Robinson said: “Duchy an Dinas was a challenging five-mile race, with more than 1,000ft of elevation putting everyone’s efforts to the test.

“An excellent result for our men’s team taking first place, alongside Neil Hayhurst and Flo Davies-Kirsop both achieving third place overall in their respective races, and eight Hayle Runners collecting age-category awards, made it a very successful trip to Lostwithiel.

“Thanks to St Austell Running Club for introducing this beautiful, hilly and sharply descending route to the MTRS calendar. Plenty of our runners have already said they’ll be back next year to take on the challenge again.”

The club also thanked St Austell Running Club and everyone involved in organising and supporting the new event, including the marshals and volunteers who helped make the inaugural Duchy an Dinas 5 possible.

Hayle Runners results

• Neil Hayhurst: 38:53
• Andrew James: 41:29
• Mark Williams: 41:47
• Ian Curnow: 42:22
• Florence Davies-Kirsop: 44:05
• Frazer Humbles: 44:56
• Andrew Searle: 44:58
• Liam O’Neill: 55:14
• Susan Thomas: 1:01:05
• Margaret Clark: 1:04:01
• Olivia Henwood: 1:07:31
• Deborah Sturges: 1:14:39
• Melissa Tonkin: 1:19:04
• Yelda Müge Parsons: 1:21:19
• Samantha Dixon: 1:29:16
• Jennie Massey: 1:29:16

📷Hayle Runners team