THE 31st annual running of the Tavistock Town Relays took place last Thursday evening.

There were a record 109 teams taking part this year across different age groups with Plymouth Musketeers entering 17 teams. Each team consisted of four runners who all had to run a 1.1 mile leg around Tavistock Meadows before passing the baton to a team mate.

Before the relays started the club had organised a fun run for juniors on the course. This also had a record entry of 78, with all runners receiving a well earned bespoke medal.

The first race of the evening was the junior team relay for teams in school years 5/6 through to 10/11.

Tavistock Athletic Club did particularly well picking up two silver medals and four golds in the four different age categories. 30 teams competed and amongst them Tavistock Swimming Club did particularly well to pick up a bronze in the 5/6 girls category and Launceston Rugby Club to pick up silver in the boys 7/8 category.

Pressure increased when the womens’ race started. 33 teams were entered and Tavistock Ladies were in for a tough battle if they wanted to defend their title from last year. City of Plymouth had got a couple of strong runners including Hannah Blair, winner of the Westward cross country league and Poppy Tank returning from a running scholarship in America.

The tactics of team coach Tammie Ryder outsmarted Plymouth and the consistency of the middle order was too strong for the Plymouth team as Tavistock retained their title. Tavistock Tri Club’s first foray into the relays was pleasing to see with their ladies coming fifth overall and only 22 seconds off a bronze medal.

As the light started to fade it was onto the mens race. Last year’s winning team, GTR racing returned to defend their crown, which they managed to do following an exciting battle with SW Road Runners.

GTR had held the lead for legs one and two but came in 20 seconds down on SWRR after leg three. A scintillating run of 4.44 by final GTR runner Mike Wilsmore restored their lead and secured the title.

Tavistock Tri Club acquitted themselves well as did Tavistock Swimming Club in a field of 46 men’s teams.

Okehampton Running Club was represented by two teams.

Although the line-up for the veteran team was slightly changed this year, Geoff Hill, Andy Vallance, Rob Kelly and Rob Hicks pulled off four great rounds to retain the first placed male vet team prize they won last year.

They were also an impressive fourth placed mens team overall, one place higher than last year. The second team of Graham Bryant, Ed Dumpleton, Paul Crease and Monica Richards had to run as a senior men’s team despite the inclusion of one lady runner. They too ran well and finished 8th senior male team and 14th overall.

Bere Alston Trekkers entered five teams, with some team members being taken from the current Couch to 5K programme. All ran strongly and enjoyed a great evening, soaking up the atmosphere, camaraderie and crowds of cheering spectators.

The exciting evenings running is expected to raise over £1,000 for the Lions’ good causes as part of carnival week.

Full results can be found at www.tavistockathletics.co.uk/events

Pictures by James Bird - see two pages of fantastic pictures in this week’s Times.