The course follows the undulating road out to Torrington, encountering four short climbs on the way.  From Torrington runners join the Tarka Trail for the 6 and a bit miles back to the finish.

Making the start had not been easy.  Les and family had decided to make a weekend of it and travel up on Friday in their camper van (Max and Paddy?).  Unfortunately, the vehicle was about as reliable as Les’ right knee.  Well dodgy.  They were toed back home and Les had to make the journey back up on race day!

Kev’s hamstring was gonna need some breakdown cover as well as he loaded up with painkillers and took the risk.  He’s off to sea again on Tuesday so one last attempt at a race wasn’t going to hurt.  Probably!

Janet was still living with her dicky hamstring.  It held out at Malta the week before so she strapped it up for another go.  Other Malta vets Pete Drew and Chris Harper were also up for their second half marathon in seven days.

The race started at 1030 and the big field swelled the narrow roads of the opening mile.  Juliet was the leading Carnie followed by Rory who was flying as a result of plenty of training miles in the bag.

Chris H was next hoping for a second sub 1:30 half in a week. 

 Janet was creaking along just behind sporting a white neoprene garter!

The three stooges Les, Mickey K and Kev were next having a bit of group bonding.  Either that or they were running a sweep on how long Kev’s hamstring would hold out.  At 4 miles they had their answer.  The lad was hobbling off the side of the road and beginning the walk of shame back to the finish.

Pete Drew and Brydie Bray were racing stride for stride and this obviously was doing the business as they clipped away mile after mile at 8 min/mile pace.

Barry Drew was running his second half marathon.  More scenic than Cardiff, the course spurred him onto a faster time as he realised a time of around 1:50 could be possible.

Juliet was spitting blood and disturbing the peace of the quiet countryside as she piled on the pain in search of a PB.  Almost chocking on an energy gel at halfway nearly put paid to her quest.  A gulp of water got the sticky fluid down her throat (good tip there, girls) and she blasted on to cross the line in 1:25:58 and get the PB.

Also on a PB mission was Rory.  60 miles a week does the trick for the old boy and a PB of 1:27 was awesome!

Chris H was cutting it fine.  A whole load of misery and aching calves ensured he just about managed to keep the mile splits on track for the sub 1:30.  A big effort for the last mile and a bit was required as it went down to the wire.  Squeezing the last bit of energy out of his legs, heart and lungs he crossed the line in 1:29:53.  Made it!!

Les’ knee proved more reliable than his camper van and recorded an excellent 1:36.

Janet also avoided the same fate as Kev and finished with her second 1:38 in a week.  Looking well cool down to the finish, she was 2nd in the FV45 catagory.

Mike was having a hard time of it but managed to kick out some solid miles when the going got tough and a 1:39 finish was another good run.

Pete and Brydie had never been more than 5 metres apart all the way round and they had fantastic runs as a result of pushing each other all the way to the finish.  1:46 for both of them.  A PB by 5 minutes for Brydie and Pete, taking 3 minutes off of his Malta time, only missed out on a PB by just over a minute.

Barry just missed out on a 1:50 by a few seconds coming home in 1:51 with a good strong run as a reward for his good training of late (obviously spurred on by his Xmas Handicap title!!!)

Well Done at those that ran and for all our supporters who shouted us down the finish to glory!!!

826 finishers.  For full results go to the Results Section.

Last word to Kev.  No Guts, No Glory.  As ever you put yourself on the line, mate.  A top clubman. 

Have a good trip and see you back and fit in the summer from all the Carnies. (No blubbing, Son!!)