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THE MARTIN JENNINGS
MEMORIAL MOTORCYCLE RUN

September 8th 2019

 

Bikers: Martin Parker, Jeff Parker and Rod MacGregor

 
Three bikers from AP Diving turned out on a warm, sunny September Sunday morning to take part in the 32nd Martin Jennings Memorial Run - Rod MacGregor (AP CNC guru) riding his Suzuki Bandit, Martin Parker (AP MD) on his KTM Adventure and Jeff Parker (AP Marketing & IT) on his 43 year old Triumph Bonnie T140V.

 

More than 1,000 bikers took part assembling at the Truro Park & Ride and making an incredible racket at the mass start-up.

The event commemorates the life of Cornishman Martin Jennings from Beacon who died in the 1987 Manx Grand Prix as well as all other riders who have lost their lives over the years in Cornwall.

This year's Run was in aid of two lifesaving charities: Cornwall Blood Bikes and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Over £5,000 was collected at the start alone with more donations coming in.

 

The massed bikes set off at 10.30am and wound east out of Truro before heading north across the county’s back roads through hamlets and villages to the Atlantic Highway. Hundreds of small supporter groups - young and old - lined the route, waving at and high-fiving the bikers as they passed.

AP Inspiration Tech (and previous Jennings Run biker) Neil Bolton and daughter Evvie enjoying the show

...and Neil's son, Finn, showing off his bike

The procession then rode northeast for about 2 hours before taking a lunch break and a refuelling stop at Cornwall Services. For the afternoon session the cavalcade headed southwest again reaching Chiverton about 2.15pm for the “Grand Parade” along the A30 where supporters and sightseers crowded every bridge from Chiverton Cross to Camborne. The Run then turned inland, south to Martin Jenning’s home village of Beacon for the traditional service and one minute silence.

Organiser David Saunby spoke about how he and his friend Martin "spent some great times on the Isle of Man on holiday". Speaking about how the event has grown massively since the first ride in which 130 people showed up, David said: "I think he would have appreciated it."

Some riders left the Run at this point to head home but the hardcore wound its way back across country down to Helston and eventually finished in Falmouth Rugby Club about 5.30pm. Another successful Run completed without incident.

Rod on his Bandit coming into Helston

Martin's KTM