In the early hours of Saturday morning, while most people were sleeping, Claire Grubb was just beginning 64 miles of coast path running. Named “Plague”, Claire was taking part in the longest of the five courses on offer to those attending the Roseland August Trail “RAT” trail and ultra running festival. The races are all off-road coastal path routes along a stretch of the stunning South Cornwall Coastal Path between St Anthony Head on the Roseland Peninsula and Porthpean in St Austell Bay.
The course is mostly trail although there are some short sections of road where the coast path shares the public highway. Runners are told to expect stiles, gates, rocks, steps and hills. Although the route is well signed, there are a few places where runners could go adrift. It is a self-navigating and self-sufficient event.
After the Plague’s 64 mile route, there was the Black 32 mile option (2005m of elevation), the Red 20 miles (1405m of elevation), the White 11 miles (796m of elevation) and the “Bring Out Your Dead” 5 mile loop which runners can run continuously for 24 hours.
Claire is no stranger to coastal endurance events, having achieved 65 miles of the well-known Arc of Attrition event in January 2024. Claire’s goal for the Plague was to complete in under 15 hours which she succeeded, having a finishing time of 14 hours and 55 minutes. Claire was the third lady home and, as it was the British trail running championships ultra distance, Claire ended up with two trophies and two medals.
New ORC member Mary Roberts took part in the 20 mile route for the 5th time, her 7th RAT event overall and achieved her quickest time of 5 hours and 13 minutes. As an added bonus, Mary was the third in her age group.
Andrew Vernon and Stephen Sincock were also in Cornwall this weekend for a bit of running tourism taking part in the Indian Queens Half Marathon. Back for its 41st year, this undulating route takes runners around country lanes and minor roads with about five miles of the course on the Goss Moor trail. Currently the club record holder for the Vet 55 1 mile category, Andrew, well-known for his quick pace and his motivation to improve, Andrew achieved a time of 1 hour 31 minutes and fifth in the Vet 55 category although he felt he had a “bad two last miles.” Stephen was just ahead of Andrew coming home in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes and first in the Vet 60 category.
Returning to the theme of coastal path ultra running, Jo Page was the third lady home in the South West Coast 50km Ultra Challenge. Taking in the first Minehead section of the famous 630 mile coastal path and with an extensive ‘basecamp’ in the shadows of the impressive Dunster Castle. The 50km loop then heads over Exmoor with ups and downs and some magnificent views with over 1600 metres of climbing. Jo finished the event in 6 hours and 28 minutes and adds to her extensive list of completed events! Jo said that it was “one of the hardest races” she’s done, second only to her 100 mile event. Jo added: “it was a tough one, especially with running out of water between checkpoint two and three. The hills, the terrain and just the whole thing. Nauseous for a good 20km meant that the second half was fuelled on just a bag of ready salted crisps and a coke/water mix in my bottles.”
Jo was very pleased with a sub 6 hour 30 minute finish and was happy to be in 31st position overall. Although she was broken on the day after and walking was a challenge, Jo still “highly recommends” the event. Knowing Jo, she will be back out running soon enough. Well done Jo.
