Athletic club’s ‘young guns’ fire on all cylinders

10:07am Wednesday 14th May 2008

Cornwall Athletic Club's "young guns" were firing on all cylinders in the Kernow five-mile road race at Launceston. Eighteen-year-old Matt Cleave took control of the race approaching the two-mile mark, easing away from James Duffield (South Devon AC) and Launceston Road Runner Gary Vernon, writes Alan Rowling.

It was at this point though that 16-year-old Ryan Cleave, some way back in fourth place, was also making a big effort to close on his brother and although Ryan was never really able to mount a serious challenge.

Matthew's time of 28 minutes 7seconds was just three seconds slower than last year, with Ryan crossing the line just 38 seconds behind his older brother.

Not far behind were another family duo, with 15-year-old James Waldie coming home ninth in 31 minutes 3 seconds and father John having a fine race in 17th position, clocking 32 minutes 26 seconds. With two of the club's more experienced' runners, Alan Rowling (second Vet 60) and Norris Kington (first Vet 65), finishing 49th and 79th respectively, Cornwall Men's team finished second, behind South Devon AC and comfortably ahead of third placed Newquay Road Runners.

Cornish Ladies were well to the fore in their race, filling the top four positions. Caroline Steven (Launceston Road Runners) was a clear winner, with the steadily improving Lucy Kelvey (Newquay Road Runners) finishing second, ahead of the East Cornwall Harrier, Sharon Dawe, who passed another of the county's rapidly improving female runners, Kathryn Burgess (Cornwall Athletic Club), in the closing stages.

Team honours again went to South Devon AC ahead of the Launceston "A" and "B" teams.

Key for club: CAC Cornwall AC, MBH Mount's Bay Harriers, NRR Newquay Road Runners, TRC Truro Runing Club, WRN Womens Running Network.

LOCAL RESULTS Men - age categories - under 40: 1 Matt Cleave CAC 28.07, 2 Ryan Cleave CAC 28.45. 45-49: 3 Graham Hodgson NRR 31.34. 50-54: 2 Stephen Restall NRR 34.01. 55-59: 1 Mike Kestle NRR 34.35. 60-64: 1 Paul Wright NRR 35.12, 2 Alan Rowling CAC 35.49. 65-59: 1 Norris Kington CAC 41.06. Teams: 1 South Devon AC 67 points, 2 Cornwall AC 139 points, 3 Newquay Road Runners 204 points.

Ladies - age categories - under 35: 1 Lucy Kelvey NRR 33.34, 2 Kathryn Burgess CAC 34.02, 3 Jenny Evans CAC 37.08. 40-44: 3 Nancy Hill MBH 34.38. 55-59: 3 Margaret Bullen TRC 50.01. 60-64: 2 Lisa Wright WRN 47.10. Teams: 1 South Devon AC 32 points, 2 Launceston Road Runners A' 51 points, 3 Launceston Road Runners B' 94 points.

Club positions - Cornwall AC: 1 Matt Cleave 28.07, 2 Ryan Cleave 28.45, 9 James Waldie 31.03, 17 John Waldie 32.26, 33 Kathryn Burgess 34.02, 49 Alan Rowling 35.49, 57 Jenny Evans 37.08, 79 Norris Kington 41.06.

Hayle Runners: 22 Anthony Burrows 32.59, 46 Charlie Holden 35.25, 66 Louise Quick 38.55.

Editor's Choice