The sun was shining once again for the third #Tal19 run, despite the previous day’s downpours. In the run up to the event the route had had plenty of rain, and due to it being a cross-country type circuit, some might have questioned its ability to go on as planned.

However, organisers were never in doubt and ensured they knew the route well, including each of the new hazards that could potentially pose a problem for runners on Sunday, November 17.

Despite the conditions underfoot, and clear safety briefings from the marshals to ‘take it steady’, the course record was broken in the male category, as well as some pretty impressive running times in the ladies’.

A new 10 kilometre race was also introduced this year in an attempt to try and encourage new runners to the event. The children’s fun run also attracted an impressive gathering of over 40 runners.

This year also had samba band Energia who played at the half way point, which was a delight for runners and the supporting public. #Tal19 also had their very own compaere, Ron Cann who worked with the coastguards dotted around the course feeding back to Neil Chesseborough as to where the top four were.

Talan’s Trust, the organisers of #Tal19 like to ask someone special each year to start the race and this year was no exception, local Bude boy Ben Bennett, who himself is only too familiar with the oncology department, started proceedings this year.

The day tends to bring out the entire Bude community who look to support the run, various businesses, groups and individuals all pledge their support to ensure it’s success.

Founder of the Trust, Sarah Penny, Talan’s mum, was grateful as ever from the support of the community. She said: “Once again the weather was kind to us on the day of the race, Tegan, Talan’s sister always says he is sunshine on our shoulders and I really think he is. For the third year in a row it not only remained dry but the sun shone yet again.

“As always the marshals were amazing giving up their day in return for soup and oodles of cake, made and baked by the local community. A massive thank you to Vicky and Steve Innes who coordinate this for us and also to Bude Scouts who are fantastic — bringing marquees, stoves and generally being wonderful!

“Also thank you to Mel Bardsley for holding the briefing this year and being the voice!

“Dept26 the local mountain bike club yet again lead the race and swept up behind ensuring all runners went the right way and no one was left out on the course. A huge thank you to the boys for doing this, it makes our lives so much easier!

“A huge thank you to the effervescent wonder that is David Herman from Fusion Gym, who came back this year to warm us all up prior to the run, we all ended that session with a huge smile on our faces.”

The warm up session was clearly effective, as Stephen Cameron managed to run the race in one hour 14 minutes and 13 seconds, setting a new course record and beating last year’s winner, Martin Colwill. The first in the ladies section to cross the line this year was Kathryn Beades, with an impressive time of one hour 33 minutes and 28 seconds. The new #Tal10 race was crossed in only 53 minutes and 49 seconds by Naomi Purvis in the ladies’ section and a blistering 43 minutes and one second by Paul Kingsman in the mens’.

Sarah also went on to thank Mike and Sue Howard from Sign O Times who have been a constant support for the race, and Warren, who helped with the Trust’s mission to be eco-friendly with their trophies.

She added further thanks to the sponsors of the day’s events: “A huge thank you to our sponsors on the day Simon Finn from Finn Solicitors, Sharon and Penni from Mood Design, Angela Stacey from Fusion Fostering, David Worth from South West Floor Sanding and Warburtons for supplying the bread.”

This race brings the local community together to remember Talan Penny, who died in May of 2017 from a rare childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma.

It is the Trust’s mission to raise awareness of all childhood cancers, 12 children a day are diagnosed. Less than 2% of all money raised by cancer charities is given to children. Childhood cancer is the biggest killer (barring trauma) than any other disease, yet symptoms are still not widely known.

If you’d like to know more or to support them, see their website www.talanstrust.org