AFTER EIGHT months, another Grand Prix season has come to an end. Not Formula One, but something just as gruelling for the competitors . . . Tavistock Athletic Club's series of 12 road and off-road races in which members competed for points against each other in their age groups.

Given the rules this year, the leaders found they had to compete in every event to stand a chance of winning, and this involved running about 84 miles from the relatively flat Bideford Half Marathon to the hilly Haytor Heller.

The winner and runner up in the ladies' event did just that with Carolyn Dawe, in her first full year with the club, just edging out Nicole Heryet by half a point, by 118.5 to 118.

Both deserved to win for competing in every event with some excellent performances. Third was Annette Roberts with 80 points who also won prizes in her age group at some events. A further four ladies qualified for the Grand Prix by doing five events or more.

There was even more competition among the men with no fewer than 12 qualifying. The winners were tightly bunched, with Robert Dawe first on 103 points, Roger Hewitt second on 102, and Chris Eastaugh third on 101, all having missed just one of the 12 events. Again, it was Robert's first full season, so congratulations to the Dawes for making it a family double.

There was much interest in the Grand Prix this year, with 20-plus turning out for the Bideford Half, Ivybridge 10K and the Autumn Trail, helping to promote the club's profile.

Full results — Ladies: 1, Carolyn Dawe 118.5 points; 2, Nicole Heryet 118; 3, Annette Roberts 80; 4, Beryl Bowles 72; 5, Anna Johnson 68; 6, Rhian Johnson 58; 7, Marion Playle 52.

Men: 1, Robert Dawe 103 points; 2, Roger Hewitt 102; 3, Chris Eastaugh 101; 4, Peter Bazley 88; 5 equal. Martin Exley and Mike Lewis 70; 7, Adrian Bower 59; 8, Nigel Rendle 55; 9, Keith Bowles 52; 10, Dan Bates 50; 11, Allan Hurdman 49; 12, Trevor Williams 48.