Tavistock Athletic Club has been active over the last two weekends, being represented at four race events, two local and two further afield.
The Trevor Thorne Memorial race is held at Saltram, Plymouth. It's a fast, multi-terrain race run over five kilometres and twelve club members took part.
Nigel Ward was the first member to finish in 17th position overall, and fourth in his age group. The younger club members excelled in this race, with Matt McNamara-Waddington, (aged 16) coming 23rd, closely followed by Alistair Isaacs.
Laura Aspen, 16, had a great race. She was first TAC female to finish and was also first in her age group with Suzy Blandford not far behind her and Deaglan Flynn-Samuels, running only his second race, aged 15, is also worthy of mention.
Times: Nigel Ward 19mins 55secs; Matt McNamara-Waddington 20.28; Alistair Isaacs 21.20; Robin Musgrave 22.02; Pete Bazeley 22.08; Owen Drage 23.10; Laura Aspen 23.59; Suzy Blandford 25.17; Ali Harris 25.25;Hazel Walker 28.40; Deaglan Flynn-Samuels 30.25; Mary-Bridget Flynn-Samuels 30.26.
Three club members took part in the Bideford 10 miler. The race is also a fast course between Bideford and Yelland, returning along the River Torridge and part of the Tarka Trail. Tony Shearer finished 70th overall, and second in his age-group, in a time of 1hr 16mins 7secs. Steve John (1.31.51) and Ann Woodhouse (1.43.27) both knocked two minutes off their previous times for the course, and Ann was third in her age category.
The racing season is at its peak, and members travelled to Bristol and Nottingham to take part in half-marathons. The day was sunny and heat was an issue. Two TAC members took part with Keith Bowles finishing 25th in his age group, in a time of 1hr 50mins 35secs, and Andrew Alcock in 2.08.29.
The Robin Hood half marathon in Nottingham is a more undulating race. Jim Cole once again excelled, finishing in 12th place in 1hr 10mins 18secs.
Paul Marshall knocked a massive seven minutes off his last year's time, to finish in 1.38.57, and Samantha Marshall in 2.00.31.
Tavistock Athletic Club meets on a Tuesday and Thurday evening. On Sunday mornings, members meet up with Bere Alston Trekkers for a longer run.
Go to the website Tavistockathletics.com for more information.
l THE British Youth National Pentathlon Championships were held in Solihull.
Sarah Palmer, a pupil of Plymouth College, won her class. She had a particularly good fence and run.
She had a clear round in the show-jumping and a good shoot and swim. Sarah said she was very pleased with this result.