RUNNERS from Tavistock Athletic Club knew it would be a muddy affair but it still turned out in good numbers for the combined 2009 cross-country county championships and the Exeter meeting of the Westward league.

In the junior races the Tavistock club were given a flying start in the U17s event with club members achieving three county championship medals and a good team result.

Brennan Townshend and George Speak had their own individual duel in the men's race with Brennan coming home in overall fourth place and winning the silver medal in the county championships immediately followed by George in fifth, who won the county bronze medal. Rebecca Windermer was the only U17s Tavistock lady but she ran a strong race earning a team place in the league event as the third Tavistock lady and winning the silver medal in the county championships.

In the U13s girls' Emily Ackford ran well to finish in 11th place in the league and 10th place in the championships with Emily Attfield also running well to record an overall 21st and 17th in the Devon championships.

Claire Fraser was the only Tavistock runner in the U15s girls event and despite being isolated in a spread out field showed her usual resolution to finish in a strong fifth place and just missing out on a medal position in fourth position of the championships.

In the U15s boys the Tavistock club were well represented with four boys competing.

The first Tavistock runner home was Harrison Baker in tenth place in the league and ninth in the championships followed by Seth McNamara-Waddington in overall 19th with James Best in 21st and Sam Lloyd finishing in 22nd place and 15th in the Devons.