THERE were perfect running conditions for this year's 5-Tors event– beautiful sunshine, a breeze with the going firm underfoot. What a contrast from the treacherous conditions in recent years.
The race started and ended at Minions and it was the perfect opportunity for the 190 runners to grab a PB and many did just that.
With no time for sight-seeing, the scenery or even to peek at the film sets on the moors, Launceston's Dan Rodgers excelled in a class of his own to win in a time of 53:50, more than five minutes ahead of second place Ken Walker from Newquay. Olly Jose, also of Newquay, rounded out the top three.
First East Cornwall Harriers (ECH) runner back was Josh Carnell making his 5-Tors debut in some style, finishing in 7th, while not far behind men's captain Ian Littlewood who smashed his course PB by just under five minutes to finish 16th and also win the trophy for the 1st Male PL14 runner back.
Jenny Nash retained her 1st Female PL14 trophy as next ECH runner back in 1:08:08, beating her last outing by four and a half minutes. Also gaining a course PB was Chris Ullman, doing enough to hold off the experienced moorland runner of ECH chairman Mark Andrews who sneaked into the male team and helped the ECH men to third place in the team event.
First place in the men's team event was won by Newquay with Bodmin gaining second. Another 5-Tors debutant, Andrew Sims, finished in 1:11:00 while another 5-Tors first timer Ben Harding finished in 1:14:55 just ahead of Sharon Daw in 1:15:08, while Ali Martin crossed the line in 1:15:52. Also stepping up to his first 5-Tors race, Alex Coley ran well to finish in 1:19:05. Diane Roy made up the ladies team in 1:20:07, securing them first place in the team award, closely followed by Ann Quarmby in 1:20:21. A three-minute PB for ladies' captain Louise Littlewood kept her ahead of Meeta Nicholls, while the indestructible Rob Pick wasn't far behind in 1:22:00. Amy Williams clinched the fourth spot in the second ladies team, making it a very successful day for the ladies who gained first and third in the team event. Emma Dales crossed the line in 1:39:24 and Alan Smith also beat the two-hour mark by some margin in 1:50:28. Jan Sroczynski completed the Harriers entry in 2:07:40.
In the Plymouth half marathon Lee Crocker led the Harriers home in 1:38:19 with Jon Hoare at 1:41:05. Steven Oxenham wasn't far behind in 1:42:27 and Jon Tourell-Harris crossed the line in 1:46:28. Lisa Webb was not long over the two-hour mark in 2:02:11 with David Lean finishing in 2:11:20.