Tresco Marathon 2008

by the winner of the Ladies race
Fiona Ruetsch

While most Hayle Runners headed for the bright lights and the rain of
London four hardy souls decided to tackle the Tresco Marathon , an
'undulating 'course of seven and a half laps                   
On a bright and sunny race day Andrea and I, who had opted for the luxury
of the Island Hotel, were joined by Steve ( Adey ) and Dave (Scott) who had
come over on the boat from St Mary's and had to wade ashore. Many were to
blame those grains of sand for their blisters! We said good luck to
Andrea's Dad who was powerwalking the course and then met up with a large
and loud posse of Mounts Bay Harriers. For once the green shirts of Hayle
were outnumbered!
At 9.30 Bill Bryson set us on our way. Laps 1 and 2 passed pleasantly
enough, admiring the scenery, catching a tan and  enjoying the many food
and water stops offering a wide selection of confectionery. By lap 4 the
novelty had worn off, the hills were beginning to hurt and disorientation
had set in. Was it lap 4 or 5? Would anyone notice if I did one less?
By lap 6 only the marines and Andrea's Dad were still smiling and even the
down hill bits hurt. Thankfully the fantastic spectators including Steve
and Dave's wives , Andrea's children, the non-running Mounts Bay Harriers
and hundreds of islanders and tourists kept us going through the pain and
eventually at 26 miles we were allowed to turn off the main course to the
finish at the Island Hotel where champagne, massage and food beckoned.
I finished in 3.32 and managed to win the Ladies race despite walking the
last hill! Andrea was not far behind in 3.58, followed by Steve in 4.11 and
Dave under 4and a half hours in 4.29.Andrea's Dad  came in  in just over
six hours hard on the heels of the marines!

We all had a fantastic day , the sunshine, supporters and great
organization making for a memorable occasion. I highly recommend it as an
alternative to London and after a few drinks we were all contemplating
doing it again next year.!