TAVISTOCK pair Jim Cole and Tony Symons made the trip to Yeovilton, Somerset for the monthly five kilometre road race on the flat roads around the Royal Naval Air Station on Wednesday evening — hosted by Yeovil Town Road Runners. The in-form Cole extended his unbeaten run of the last two months yet again.

Determined to make significant inroads on his previous best of 15mins 42 seconds, Jim attacked from the gun and already held a 20 metre advantage over Bristol's Jon James at the first kilometre mark. The Tavistock athlete gradually eased away from his rival to win handsomely and shatter his previous best in a superb 15mins 12 seconds. The time reduced Harry Wiltshire's Tavistock Club record by 20 seconds and gave Cole the fourth fastest time in the South West Region so far this year, bettered only by three athletes from the top Bristol club.

Tony Symons, aged 50, was showing the benefits of training with Jim Cole in recent weeks.

The veteran was in fifth place inside the final 500 metres before tiring legs agonisingly allowed three younger men to pass him before the finish. A delighted Symons nonetheless took eighth place overall and first in the over 50 age-group, recording a time of 16mins 48 seconds — only one second behind his best ever time recorded at the same venue five years ago.