Portmellon Trail Run, 16 Aug 2026

I made a last-minute entry for this 12km trail race as I was looking for something to do at the weekend! I don’t usually do trail racing, but it’s very popular in Cornwall, and the views from the coast path are beautiful, so I decided to give it a go.

I knew there would be hills; it is Cornwall after all, so I set off steadily, near the front and we immediately went up hill on a road before turning off onto a track towards the coast path, I became first lady and held the position for a while until we turned up a hilly gravel track and I ended up in 5th position, which I maintained for the remainder of the race.

The course was very varied, including country lanes, gravel tracks, moorland and woodland. There were a few hazards and obstacles: low branches, tree roots, holes, rutted grass, stiles, kissing gates and steps, but no streams to jump! 

The worst part was having to go up what felt like near-vertical grassy hills multiple times. I couldn’t run up those, the first time I have ever walked in a race! That’s when I realised that I wouldn’t have a chance of seeing those other women again!

There were moments when I felt quite unstable - running down steep gravel sections or on slanted, rutty grass and was worried about falling or breaking an ankle, but the only injury I had at the end was from the gorse bushes!

It was a scenic and varied run, but perhaps not the coastal trail run I had thought it would be!

Sarah Hunter