Cornish Mob Match...2017 Cornish Grand Prix Series goes out in style in Falmouth

So that’s it, the 15 races of the Cornish Grand Prix Series 2017 are done and dusted! In true style, the series came to a close in Falmouth with the annual Mob Match. A record number of entries (600) added extra stress to the race team but everything ran smoothly, a great credit to all involved.

The race is a 5 mile road race over an undulating course around Falmouth but despite not really being PB territory like Cubert, the inter-team rivalry means the pressure is really on and I always find myself pulling out times I didn’t think were possible in such a hilly race.

The race starts at the end of Castle Drive and runners firstly loop Pendennis Point in a clockwise direction. The long drag up above the docks gets the heart rate up early in the race, followed by a pleasant fast downhill section round the eastern and southern side of the Point to arrive with nice sea views out towards Maenporth and Mawnan Smith. There isn’t much time to admire the scenery though, as runners blast it round, vying for position and critical points, before flying down past the Falmouth Hotel to Gylly Beach cafe, with fantastic crowd support. Turning left at the tennis courts, the second hill starts, a gradual drag round a housing estate before a sudden steep kick up to the cemetery.

Thankfully a nice downhill follows, flying left at the main road then down to Swanpool, lapping it, before running back up cemetery hill. The legs were screaming by this point but your heart wills you on. A nice fast downhill back to Gylly follows, before an energy sapping drag back up to the finish line outside Falmouth Hotel.

Fantastic support from marshals of the Falmouth Road Runners and a great atmosphere as always. Great results for the men’s and ladies teams to both finish second and ensure that Falmouth continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the Grand Prix running scene. Only a few more races left of 2017 now before an opportunity to rest and recuperate over the festive season before the races return in abundance in January!