After many months of hard work and preparation Sunday 1st September 2019 was a early start for many people, including members of the Treggy7 Committee who were up at 4am to set the course, erect gazebos in the Castle grounds and set up the Town Hall as HQ ready for runners to collect their numbers and drop off their bags, for the annual Treggy7 road race.
The weather forecast was dry and sunny but as volunteers packed goody bags in the Castle Grounds there was a very dark cloud looming with a beautiful rainbow, a shower of rain followed but this did not stop nearly 500 runners and their family descending on Launceston to take part in what has become a very popular race in the Grand Prix Series.
Runners came from all over Cornwall and Devon and as far away as Norfolk to take part in this challenging 7-mile race. The first runners started arriving by 8.15 am to collect their race numbers and get ready for the race, by 9.30am the Town Hall was buzzing with excitement and there was a sea of colour from the many running clubs that were attending. This close running community gave runners a chance to catch up with members from other clubs that they have known for years as they all prepared for the race.
Numbers collected, bags dropped off, warm-ups completed, the runners gathered in the Town Square for a final briefing at 9.50am before being walked down High Street, passed St Mary Magdalene Church and into Market Street to the start line in Broad Street.
Finally, it was 10am and the race was started, the lead bikes, rode by Kayleigh Stringer and Kelly Sargent, both Launceston Road Runner members, lead the runners through the square, where onlookers clapped and cheered, then into Westgate Street, down Dockey Road, across the junction of Western Road and St Thomas Road. A great downhill start to Riverside before starting a undulating run through the beautiful countryside of Underlane, 2.5 miles in and there is the first water-station, manned again by volunteers, allowing runners to grab some much needed water, by this time the rain had stopped and the sun was out making it very warm for the runners.
With some much needed water on board the runners then had to tackle, what is the hardest part of the course, Cracky Hill, otherwise known as Treggy Hill. This is a very challenging hill, which the race is well known for, half way up the hill there was a member of the public supplying jelly beans and play music “Running up that Hill” from his car, giving runners encouragement and support that is always very welcome. Once up the hill the route takes runners through Tregadillett, firstly pass the primary school where there was a second water-station, then right onto the main road through the Village towards Launceston, again there were lots of people out cheering the runners and giving them lots of support.
Once out of the village the runners head for Trebursey back road, this is a lovely gentle downhill section allowing runners to pick up their pace, about a mile down the runners found the third and final water-station, their last chance to get some liquid on board. A right turn at the top of St Catherine’s hill took the runners along Upper Chapel before turning left into St Johns Road, pass St Catherine’s Primary School and the Police station and finally turning left into Western Road.
The end is very near, just a short, steep climb up ‘Old Police Station Hill’ into Westgate Street, back down Dockey Road and then a sprint up into the Castle grounds and across the finish line.
The first person across the line and complete the 7-mie race was Tony Brewer from Mile High in an amazing time of 38:36, closely followed by Andrew Martin from Mile High 41:08 who was being chased by Justin Thomas of Cornwall AC 41:11, the first female was Heidi Tregenza from Cornwall AC who completed the course in 45:19.
A total of 38 members of Launceston Road Runners took part in the Treggy7 this year, many achieving personal records. Jaine Hynes came 1st in her age category, Martin Hynes came 2nd in his age category and Victoria Foster and Janet Lathom cam 3rd in their age categories.
Victoria Foaster (53:27), Sarah Worth (54:47), Jaine Hynes (56:02), Claire Winfield (57:33), Bendedicte Holton-Carter (57:39) and Jessica Goldberg (58:19), claimed 3rd place in the Ladies Team.
Launceston Road Runners would like to thank their sponsors who make the race possible, Tesco, Specsavers, Sci-MX, Ambrosia, Castle Veterinary Group, Co-op, Number Eight and Hawkins Motors.
This year Treggy7 organisers considered the environmental impact that the race has and followed the REMOVE – REDUCE – RE-USE – RECYCLE template.
The runners received a wooded memento kindly made by a local company from Lifton, Sopella Crafts and the winner’s trophies were made by local company More Creative Solutions.
Launceston Road Runners also had a cake stall where donations were greatly accepted for a slice of something delicious, either cake, flapjack or brownie, this year the Clubs chosen charity is the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the cake stall raised over £300, a massive thank you to everyone who donated and we hope you enjoyed your cake!
Finally, the Treggy7 Committee would like to thank the Town Council, English Heritage and all the Volunteers who give up their time to allow this event to happen every year.
Now a couple of months rest before the preparation for Treggy7 2020 begins.
Written by Gill Aze
