WITH the sun shining, the temperature in the 20’s and a hill in the middle — which seemed much longer than last year — the Camelford Up and Running group thought the Bude Lifeboat Run race was never going to be comfortable!

Just under 400 runners ran the senior race, and around 200 children in the junior race. Due to its popularity over previous years, this was a sell out event from very early on.

Camelford Up and Running entered a team of eleven adults and four children, all of whom completed the race with no injuries or problems.

The children’s one-mile race started at 6.30pm, in year groups with a one minute gap between each to help maintain a calm start. The first child back took the crown and most organisers by surprise with his one mile completed in just five minutes, 36 seconds.

Sir James Smith’s student, 11-year-old Christopher Lowe, came in 3rd place overall, just one second behind 2nd place.

Thomas Pickard was the first Camelford Up and Running child to return in a personal best time of eight minutes, 54. Brooke Sleeman was the fastest and first four-year-old over the line, with an unbelievable mile run at just ten minutes, 42 seconds, soon followed by Hollie (12 minutes, 15) and Morgan (12 minutes, 16) respectively.

With the smell of deep heat ripe, the estimated 400 runners from all over the westcountry huddled at the start line ready for the off.

The senior race started at 7.15pm and took the runners from the rugby club, up the cycle path to Helebridge, across to the Weir and up the never ending trail path hill above Whalesborough Holiday Farm and Spa. The route then led back down through the farm, onto the canal path, and back to Bude.

Matt Allan, from Camelford Up and Running, said: “For myself, the race was made hard work due to the rivalry, which has recently hit the Allan household. Sam and I have ran and trained together for the last year and a half. We’ve always raced our longer runs as a couple, but race individually our shorter ones.

“In January, Sam beat me for the first time in Exeter’s 10k race. This lifeboat run was my next opportunity to try to win back the title of ‘first one back’.”

Matt completed the race just 12 seconds in front of Sam. After collecting a goodie bag and a drink, the pair then enjoyed shouting and cheering all the other runners in.

Gordon ‘the warrior’ Cheeseman showed great determination during his race. He has only been running since March 29, so to complete this race in the time he did has been highly commended within the Camelford Up and Running group, and he was even presented with a bottle of champion gold.

Sam Allan was presented with Camelford Up and Running’s first ever trophy, coming third in the under 35s lady back.

The Camelford Up and Running results — Matt Allan, 00.45.01; Sam Allan, 00.45.13; Caroline Danks, 00.53.31; Lauren Finch, 00.53.36; David Allan, 00.55.41; Victoria Edwards, 00.56.08; Zoe Ridley, 00.59.29; Sarah-Jane Williams, 1.00.58; Rebecca Robson, 1.01.56; Louise Hunt, 1.03.08 and Gordon Cheeseman, 1.05.18.

Matt said: “We would like to thank Bude RATS for hosting such a wonderful, well organised event and say thank you and well done to all of you fellow members. We’re so proud of our running group and our running wouldn’t be where it is today without you lot. Keep up the great work everyone, we look forward to seeing you all soon. Go orange army!”