It takes a (half) marathon effort to succeed

It takes a marathon effort to run an event like Cornwall Hospice Care’s half marathon Run Falmouth. The charity’s fundraising team work with the local running club, Falmouth Running Club and planning starts months in advance of the big day. To find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, Tamsin Thomas chatted to Run Director Jane Appleton:

Jane is a runner herself. She’s taken on Run Falmouth in the past and is one of that special band of people who’ve taken part in the London Marathon.  She gets what needs doing and she understands the needs of a runner.  She lives Run Falmouth almost all year round; “We never stop planning really, we already have next year’s event in the diary with the Princess Pavilion and on a system called SI Entries.  Minimal planning will occur in the week after the 2024 Run Falmouth and then the real work for 2025 gets underway in October.

Points and prizes

Run Falmouth’s a very popular event. “We’ve sold out two years in a row now” explains Jane.

“I understand we’re the only event in the GP series where runners compete for points, that sells out and that’s a huge compliment! Last year we raised £23,528. So far this year we’re already on £34,000! This is amazing and I’m hopeful the total will rise in the coming weeks.”

It’s a marathon effort

There’s a lot that no-one really appreciates that goes on behind the scenes – it really is a marathon effort – there’s road closures to organise, for which you need training and a license, the sterilising of  water containers and more as Jane explains;

“We have to recruit and manage in excess of 80 volunteers without whom we couldn’t manage this event, then there’s the liaison with our medical provider, the Race HQ venue, toilet suppliers and answering so many questions from runners.”

“I’d be lying if I said it isn’t a bit stressful, but I absolutely love the buzz of event week. I’m lucky to work in a supportive environment with the best team who help me and work with me so we can deliver the best event possible.”

The secret to success

Jane believes one of the secret’s to Run Falmouth’s popularity is the support from the local residents on the course;

“They’re so happy to welcome us into their town and I feel that support as Race Director as much as I did as a runner.  Everyone pulls together and it’s the best feeling knowing that the field of runners have enjoyed the event.”

Run Falmouth is worth the pain

Ask any of the runners and they’ll say the course is extremely tough with lots of hills, but that there’s a huge sense of achievement at the finish, oh and some stunning views along the route.  For Jane it’s worth every hour of hard work and planning;

“I love my job. I never wake up and dread coming to work, I enjoy putting on events. I get such a buzz from Run Falmouth and the fact that people enjoy attending the half marathon just cements it in my mind that our team are doing an amazing thing and so too are the many runners who help us raise money to fund the hospice care we provide.”

You can read more about this year’s Run Falmouth here and find the full results from the 2024 race here.

An annual event, planning is already underway for the 2025 Run Falmouth that’s always held in March.  Entries will open later this year.  Some of those who took part in this year’s half marathon are training for the London Marathon so watch out for the charity’s distinctive pink and green running vests during coverage of the event on television.