FOUR members of Launceston Road Runners took on the challenge of the St Austell Skyline 10 on Saturday, March 21, joining hundreds of competitors on the tough, multi‑terrain 10‑mile course that winds through Cornwall’s clay‑country landscape.

The event, hosted by St Austell Running Club, is renowned for its steep early climb, exposed ridge‑top running and the spectacular “Sky Spur” viewpoint overlooking the bay.

The Launceston quartet lined up beneath clear skies at the Bodmin Road start, settling quickly into the rising two‑mile climb toward the skyline section. The gradient tested all four runners, but spirits remained high as they reached the ridge and were rewarded with panoramic views stretching from the Gribbin to Black Head.

Once over the top, they tackled the undulating trails around the dramatic Baal Pit — a former clay pit famously used for Dr Who television filming — before weaving through woodland and skirting the edge of the new eco‑village development.

The group commented afterwards on how varied the terrain felt. Adam Paynter said: “Every mile had something different and every corner had another view or another hill.”

The closing mile back toward Bodmin Road delivered the traditional Skyline shock: a short, sharp climb known locally as the “sting in the tail.” All four Launceston Road Runners dug deep, pushing through tired legs to cross the finish with the support of marshals and spectators lining the final stretch.

After collecting their medals at the Cornwall College race HQ, the group reflected on the sense of achievement that comes with completing one of Cornwall’s most scenic but demanding 10‑mile races. The Skyline 10’s combination of heritage, landscape and community atmosphere made it a standout event in their spring racing calendar.

The St Austell Skyline 10 is the seventh race in the 2025/26 MTRS race series, with The Beastly Half being the next race on Sunday, April 19.

Launceston Road Runners’ finishing times: Adam Paynter - 1:49:08, Jo Northey - 1:49:46, Lewis Halliday - 1:25:18, Dan Carr - 1:31:54.

The winning runners in each age category were as follows: Female Under 35: Nayana Jain (Cornwall AC) – 1:10:52; Female 35-39: Ellodie Stott (Unattached) – 1:34:51; Female 40-44: Sarah Jenkins (Perran Trail Runners) – 1:22:47; Female 45-49: Kate Murphy (St Austell Athletes Running Club) – 1:26:15; Female 50-54: Samantha Rendell (Falmouth Running Club) – 1:43:28; Female 55-59: Sue Nancarrow (Truro Running Club) – 1:20:57; Female 60-64: Helen Mitchell (Truro Running Club) – 1:26:59; Female 65-69: Carol Norwood (East Cornwall Harriers) – 2:20:10; Female 70-74: Sally Powell (Carn Runners) - 2:28:43.

Male Under 35: Morgan Blacker (Unattached) – 1:07:31; Male 35-39: Garth McColville (St Austell Athletes Running Club) – 1:05:41; Male 40-44: Daniel Harper (Falmouth Running Club) – 1:07:51; Male 45-49: Morgan Craig (Bude Rats) – 1:07:10; Male 50-54: Jonny Colaco (Newquay Road Runners) – 1:07:18; Male 55-59: Toby Lowe (Perran Trail Runners) – 1:13:49; Male 60-64: Alan Wherry (St Austell Running Club) – 1:19:43; Male 65-69: Jon Eldon (Hayle Runners) – 1:15:06; Male 70-74: Peter Brocklehurst (St Austell Athletes Running Club) – 1:32:30. Male 75-79: Des Evans (Newquay Road Runners) – 2:06:01.