St. Levan 10k 15/08/08
After months of lurking on the PRC website, reading reports and following my twin sister’s progress, I felt it was time I made my own contribution. What better moment than for my first race on British soil?
Towards the end of a very wet week in Cornwall visiting my (and Amanda’s) mum I headed off from Fowey (near St. Austell) to Land’s End for Britain’s most westerly road race. With my boyfriend and fellow runner, Mark, and Mum driving us, we decided to make an afternoon of it, stopping off at St. Michael’s Mount before heading out to the race, which was scheduled to start at 7pm. At St. Michael’s Mount the weather was especially miserable with cold driving rain and a strong onshore wind. Nevertheless, Mum was optimistic it might improve, and not wanting to disappoint her on her first outing as a supporter since school sports’ day, we decided to press on. Fortunately, it did indeed brighten up to give us the clearest evening of our holiday.
St. Levan is a parish rather than a village, and where it is marked on maps is the site of the old church, a few miles from the race start, which was actually in a place called Little Trethewey, about 2 miles from Land’s End itself. Noting the directions from the race website (http://www.stlevan10k.co.uk/) was a must, but having done this we got there in plenty of time to park the car and register.
With just over 200 participants, this was a smaller race than the ones we have taken part in in Germany. The start and finish were at the local cricket club, so changing facilities were available, though the single ladies’ loo proved woefully inadequate. With a 15-minute wait, I was anxious I might miss the start but used the time to chat with the local runners to get tips and reassurance about the route.
The St Levan 10k attracts a significant number of local club runners, and the colourful array of club vests was quite intimidating, us being non-affiliated and therefore classified (a bit insultingly) by the organisers as “fun runners”. Even the children’s 2 miles race had its fair share of club race snakes.
Having carefully studied the route map onsite before the race, we were eagerly anticipating running through Bottoms and Brew. The race route loops inland from the cricket ground through a number of small farms, mostly on country lanes. It was described by the organisers as “undulating” ( a famous runners’ euphemism), and so it proved. I doubt it would grant me any bragging rights among you PRC hill runners, and we are no strangers to hills at home in Stuttgart, but not what you would call a PB course, anyway.
I employed a cautious strategy, going off at a fairly conservative pace, which enabled me to pick off a few club runners in the second half. Mark, however, used his trusty 10k tactic of blasting out of the blocks and doing his best to hang on until the end. His approach proved more successful on this occasion as he PBed in 43:52 - must have been the cream tea he had back at St. Michael’s Mount. I, meanwhile, finished in 46:24 - not a personal best but I was satisfied, considering the hills.
Being so close to the sea in several directions, it was a bit disappointing that there were no glimpses of the sea on the route. The tall Cornish hedges lining many of the lanes might have obscured the views but at least offered some shelter from the coastal breezes.
The last stretch of the race coming into the sports field was lined with many enthusiatic local supporters, including Mum with her trusty camera, ready to catch the obligatory sweaty post-race pictures.
Post-race refreshments are also worth mentioning. Mark and I had been eagerly anticipating our first fish supper of the holiday on the way back to Fowey, and eschewed the Cornish pasties on offer at the course. Mum, however, could not resist and raved that it was one of the best she had ever tried. Her decision proved particularly wise as every chip shop we passed en route was closed, even at 9 pm on a Friday night in peak tourist season. Next time, we’ll go for the pasties!
Overall, a great run to do on holiday, with a welcoming atmosphere but still a bit of a challenge. We are already scouting out other races in Cornwall for when we are next down there. Maybe Amanda can be persuaded to join us next time.
Report Fiona Henderson (and Mark Smith)
Photos Sylvia Henderson and Mark Smith
