FOR the first time in the 11-year history of the Bude Lifeboat Run, which took place last Wednesday evening (June 12), both the senior competition and the junior competition for school Years 4 and above were sold-out in advance of the day, along with 178 spaces filled in the junior competition for school Years 3 and under, making for a record number of runners.

Organised by Bude Run and Tri (Bude RATS) the races comprised of a six-mile multi-terrain senior run and a one-mile junior race, for ages 15 and under.

Competition was fierce but friendly and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The main sponsor, Bott Ltd, along with organisers, volunteers, supporters and spectators watched not only the strongly contested races but also as the runners fought to beat their own PBs, in this fundraising event for the RNLI.

The junior competition set off in stages, based on age groups, to run the one-mile race following a safe route along Bude’s cycleways and canal towpath.

This year’s junior run winners for school Year 7 and above were Morgan Woods of Okehampton College in a time of five minutes and 58 seconds and Ella Shaw of St Joseph’s School in a time of six minutes and 46 seconds. Ella has been the winner of her age group for three years in a row.

Other school winners were Liam Higgins and Elizabeth Tilley (Jacobstow Community Primary School), Freya Woodhead (St Mary’s CofE Primary School), James Berry (South Petherwin Community Primary School), Eleanor Foster (Bradworthy Primary Academy), Harrison Shaw (St Joseph’s School), Piper Ashton (St Petroc’s School), Stanley Newton (pictured below left) and Coco Arthur of Marhamchurch CofE VC Primary School and Jimi McCormick from Bude Infant School.

The winners in the youngest category, for school Year 1 and under, were Myles Prouse of St Helen’s CofE Primary School (8:24) and Arabella Peres of St Joseph’s School (9:05).

All children who took part in the junior race were awarded with a well-deserved medal and goody bag for their efforts. In total, 45 schools were represented in the junior race and the much sought after Schools Trophy, donated by Bude Run and Tri, was won for the third year in a row by Warbstow Community Pre-School and Primary School, with 32% of pupils taking part.

The 450 entrants of the senior race, part of the Cornish Multi-Terrain Series, ran a different six-mile single lap route to previous years, venturing over the hilly, cross country footpaths of the Whalesborough estate and making use of the Segway track as well as the flat canal towpath and cycleways.

Spectators cheered as the race was won by Daniel Romeril in 36 minutes and 46 seconds. Hot on his heels there was an exciting battle for second and third place with Samuel Yearling of Plymouth Harriers coming in with a time of 36 minutes, 55 seconds to take second place, while Keith Shapland of Bideford AAC was just one second behind to take third.

The ladies race winner was Olivia Stones from Leigh Harriers and AC with a time of 39 minutes and five seconds, with Naomi Baker of Launceston Road Runners taking second (42:51) and Kaye Patterson from East Cornwall Harriers taking third place (44:44). The first three runners in both the male and female races were presented with amazing hampers kindly donated by Lidl. Lidl also donated cakes for all the category winners.

The team prizes were awarded to Bideford AAC for the males, while East Cornwall Harriers were the winners of the ladies prize.

A Bude RNLI spokesperson said: “We are very grateful to have tremendous support for this event from local businesses.

“Bott Ltd has been the event’s main sponsor for the first year and in addition also supplied a baggage trailer for kit storage. Bude Rugby Club host the Race HQ, local scaffolding firm Bude Tubes kindly erect an impressive finish gantry and Lidl provide high quality category goodies for all. Local sports shop HPT Sport regularly donates team trophies. Another generous partner of the event is accountancy firm Metherell Gard who have supported the event since inception. We’d also like to express our thanks to The Weir Coffee House, Bistro and Wildlife Centre as well as Whalesborough Holiday Cottages and Leisure Centre for their continued support.”

Clive Woodward, Bott Group COO, said:“The RNLI charity and its volunteers provide an invaluable service for our local community, saving lives at sea and providing 24-hour search and rescue. Their commitment and dedication are appreciated by us all and in return, Bott are delighted to sponsor the annual Bude Lifeboat Run. Congratulations to all the runners who took part in both the Junior and Senior races.”

Bude Lifeboat press officer, Lorna Crystal, said: “On behalf of Bude RNLI Lifeboat I would like to say a huge thank you to all the runners who took part. I’d also like to thank the Bude Run and Tri (RATS) club with special thanks to Stephen Hutchinson, the race director, who works tirelessly to ensure the event runs smoothly. We are incredibly grateful to the generous sponsors, and all of the organisers and volunteers, including members of the running club, the RNLI volunteer crew and volunteers from the RNLI shop, fundraisers, supporters, RNLI lifeguards and members of the public who gave their time and energy to make it such a fantastic event. Last, but not least, thanks go out to all the supporters who came to the event and cheered on the runners. The incredible, continued support of Bude Lifeboat means that the RNLI are able to provide a 24-hour service every single day to save lives at sea.”

Bude Lifeboat Run are very proud of the fact that the competition is a run for all. The youngest competitor this year was Toby Heywood at just two years and nine months old and at 84, Eric Hubber was the oldest.

If you’d like to take part next year on 10th June 2020, entries will open on February 1.

To opt-in to receive Bude Lifeboat Run information and be sent a reminder in advance, email [email protected].