SUNDAY saw the eighth running of the Tavistock half marathon, the Tavy 13. This was the third run over the present course which now runs to the north and east of the town.

Runners start on the Tavistock track and then pick up the cycle trail at Crease lane and run to Harford bridge. It’s then that they start the long climb up onto the moor via winding lanes up Batteridge Hill and across the Princetown Road at Moorshop.

Then another climb along the beautiful lane past Langstone Manor to reach the highest point of the course (800ft) at the base of Pewtor.

Time for a quick drink at the water station and then almost five miles of flat and downhill across the Whitchurch Down and then Down Road, through the Meadows and around the college to finish on the track.

Organisers had closed entries prior to the event with the limit of 500 participants reached.

Fortunately, the weather on Sunday was relatively kind and some runners were able to set personal bests.

Fastest man of the day was local Jim Cole who set a new course record of 1hr 15min 17secs finishing over 3 minutes 40 seconds ahead of second-placed David Withers from Southville Running Club in Bristol.

In the womens’ race former Tavy AC runner, Maddie Horton won again, this time in 1:27:15 just over a minute behind her course record.

While the main race was out in the country, more than 450 children took part in the Primary Schools Challenge. Pupils from local primary schools have been running a mile a week for the past 12 weeks. They then do their 13th mile at the college to complete a half marathon.

Mhairi McCall from OCRA, which helps organise the event, said: ‘The uptake of the PSC has been fantastic. We have schools like St Peter’s which have made it part of their curriculum for every child to run a mile a week in PE. We have schools such as Horrabridge – which had 99 children entered – and small schools like Lamerton, which have almost 50% of their pupils taking part. Also this year Delaware school joined in for the first time, which was brilliant. Children, getting excited about and involved in regular exercise...what could be better?’

Martin Exley-Deane, race organiser, said: ‘The whole event went superbly well. With almost 1,000 people taking part whether they be young or old, it’s a fantastic community event.

‘The feedback on social media has been amazing, particularly from the large running fraternities in Plymouth.

‘We couldn’t put the event on without the support of local businesses, particularly sponsors Ocean BMW and Mansbridge Balment, and the help of Tavistock Lions and Tavistock Town Council.

‘Everyone went home happy with their achievement medals and a smile on their faces.’

Results of the Tavy13 can be found at www.tavy13.co.ukSee more pictures in Thursday's Times and pop into the office to see all the pictures taken by James Bird on the day