OLLIE Gibson (Newquay Road Runners) blitzed the opposition to win his second Duchy Marathon on Sunday by more than six minutes.

The 35th running of this event – round three of the 2010 Cornwall Glass and Glazing Grand Prix Series – once again included the Duchy '20', attracting almost 400 runners to the start line at the Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth.

Gibson was soon heading the field, alongside one of the many visiting runners to the race, Lazloe Boden (Witney Road Runners).

Gap

Along the wind-assisted North Cliffs section, it was the Oxfordshire runner who was the first to open a gap but his lead was short lived, as Gibson was back on terms by eight miles and at the top of the hill at 10 miles had established a clear advantage.

Running alongside and taking advantage of the pace being set by the leader in the 20 mile race, Tony Dunn, the Newquay man soon built an ever increasing lead, which had grown to one mile by the finish.

Boden was looking comfortable in second place tackling the three mile North Cliffs section for the second time, but local runner, Adrian Ball (Cornwall Athletic Club) had other ideas, as he began eating into Boden's lead.

Slowly the gap got smaller until, with less than two miles to go, Ball caught and passed Bodin, only for the Witney runner to find that extra ounce of energy, moving back into second place and holding this position to the finishing line.

Justin Thomas (Cornwall Athletic Club) must have run one of the quickest last eight miles in the race, as he was 10th at the 18-mile mark before clawing back runner after runner and moving through to fourth place.

A jubilant Hayle Runners quartet lifted the Penventon Shield, finishing 10 points ahead of Newquay Road Runners, who finished on the same number of points as St Austell Running Club, but clinched the runners-up spot by virtue of their fourth scoring runner finishing just one place ahead of St Austell's fourth scorer.

Honiton's Great Britain ultra distance international, Heather Foundling Hawker, made it a hat trick of Duchy Marathon wins, finishing 11th overall and crossing the line in 3.06.20, almost 15 minutes slower than her outstanding course record of 2.51.41 set in 2007. The East Cornwall Harrier, Diane Roy also enjoyed a fine run, clocking 3.20.18 and cruising to victory in her Veterans' 45-49 category, finishing almost six minutes ahead of the third lady home, Trinity Booth (Thornbury Athletic Club), who was also one place behind Diane in the same Veterans' age group.

The Ladies' team race proved to be a battle between the two Penwith based club, with excellent packing from the 'Bay's' Ladies reversing the result of the previous year, as they beat local rivals Hayle Runners by nine points.

After 26 miles, the three Mount's Bay's scorers were separated by just 22 seconds, led home by the mother and daughter Sue and Nicky Taylor, who were ninth and 10th, with Rachel Tresidder breathing down their necks in 11th position.

In the supporting race, the Duchy 20, most of the runners were using this event as part of their preparation for a spring marathon, which in many cases would be next month's London race.

Tony Dunn from the host club, Cornwall AC, was in control from the start and never looked threatened as he won by well over a minute from Pete Waumsley (Tamar Trotters), with another trotter, David Tomlins (Teignbridge Trotters) in third.

The leading lady was Alison McEwing (Erme Valley Harriers), who won the marathon two years ago.

The Devon runner finished ahead of another athlete from across the Tamar and in this case also from across the Severn, Heather Graz (Chepstow), with Dublin based Aoife Lynch, representing the international contingent, in third position.

Cornwall Athletic Club are indebted to the invaluable support received from many local businesses and organisations and would like to express special thanks to the event host, the Penventon Park Hotel and to the race water supplier, Cascade Springs from Wadebridge. Cornwall Council kindly provided the bollards and allowed free use of the West End car park for the day.

More car parking space was made available at Redruth School and Warrior Warehouse in Camborne donated the sponges.

Last but not least the Duchy Marathon has always been extremely grateful for the outstanding work done by the ATC cadets from the Redruth squadron, who look after the drinks and sponge stations and to the Police Cadets, who organise the finish area, issuing the medals, more drink, fruit and chocolate.

● Results on page 99.