A half marathon has raised £30,000 for charity.
This year’s Run Falmouth half marathon, held on Sunday, March 16, by healthcare charity Cornwall Hospice Care, was also a record-breaker.
The largest number of runners signed up, and of the 950 entries, 798 started on a breezy but sunny morning.
The winner was Steve Reynolds from Truro Running Club, who crossed the finish line in one hour and 13 minutes, setting a new record for the current course.
He also won the event in 2023 in a time of one hour, 16 minutes, and 56 seconds.
Conditions were nearly perfect, with blue skies and sunshine, but a chilly breeze that in places provided a headwind for the runners.
Steve, who came third at last year’s Run Falmouth, led from the start and said after crossing the finish line: "I’m delighted, it’s a tough course in places but I know the 13.1-mile route and hoped I could set a good pace."
Steve’s pace gave him a clear lead, with second-placed Ed Dickinson from the Falmouth Running Club crossing the line more than four minutes later with a time of one hour, 17 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Third place went to Ronnie Haynes of the Erme Valley Harriers, whose time was one hour, 18 minutes, and 15 seconds.
The first woman home was Sarah Hoskin from Mile High, who clocked a time of one hour, 25 minutes, and 34 seconds.
She said afterwards the hills were a challenge: "It’s certainly a tough course with some spectacular uphill parts but I enjoyed it.
"There were a few times when there was a headwind but otherwise we couldn’t have asked for better conditions.
"I’m really pleased to be the first woman home."
Jane Appleton, race director from Cornwall Hospice Care, said: "I’m delighted to say this year’s event has already raised £30,000 towards the nursing care we provide at both of our hospices and there’s more money to come in.
"It takes a lot of organisation to run a half marathon and I’d like to thank the team at the Princess Pavilions, Falmouth Running Club, Devon and Cornwall 4x4, our event sponsors The Sapphire Running Zone and Jolly’s Drinks, Omega Medical and the army of volunteers we rely on each year.
"We couldn’t achieve this spectacular event without them all."
Entry to Run Falmouth 2026 will open soon on the Cornwall Hospice Care website and people should sign up quickly as this event tends to sell out early each year.
