NINETEEN Tavistock Athletic Club members took part in the recent Plymouth Hoe 10 mile road race. The race started at Brickfields, taking a double loop around the Barbican, the Hoe and Union Street before climbing back up to Brickfields for a lap of the athletics track to finish.
It's a tough course, with plenty of hills, but conditions on the day were just about perfect.
Hard training sessions are paying off, and six club members achieved personal bests (PB).
Once again, Jim Cole excelled. Not only did he win the race outright, gaining a PB, but he also knocked more than a minute off the club 10–mile record, previously set by Martin Exley, which has been in place for 21 years. This, on a hilly course, was an outstanding achievement.
Harry Wiltshire finished just over a minute behind Jim, in fourth place. Martin Exley finished 12th overall and first in the male 45-49 category, but as his company, Brooks, was sponsoring the race, he forfeited his prize. This enabled Tony Symons, who finished 29th, to claim third prize in the same age group.
Neil Barkell came in 21st and he, together with Jim, Harry and Martin won the men's team prize for the event.
Dave Chanter and Keith Bowles also had excellent runs, gaining UK Athletics Gold Awards for their finishing times relative to age.
Silver awards were gained by David Twine, Pete Bazely, Jeff Lea, Andy and Sheila Houghton and Ann Woodhouse.
First lady home was Nicole Heryet. Lesley Cowie gained a PB and special mention must be made of Harriet Crosby, making her debut for the Club and running as part of her London Marathon training.
Finishing times were as follows: Jim Cole 52mins 06 secs(PB): Harry Wiltshire 53.46(PB); Martin Exley 58.06; Neil Barkell 58.47(PB); Tony Symons 59.37(PB); David Twine 1.10.56(PB); Dave Chanter 1.11.16; Pete Bazely 1.14.50; Rob Kirby 1.15.59; Nicole Heryet 1.16.08; Phil Worth 1.18.37; Keith Bowles 1.19.33; Jeff Lea 1.21.13; Andy Houghton 1.28.02; Sheila Houghton 1.32.26; Lesley Cowie 1.33.56(PB); Rebecca Sargent 1.40.29; Ann Woodhouse 1.47.26; Harriet Crosby 1.57.54.
• If you'd like to join TAC, please contact Sheila Houghton on 01822 612577 for more information.
Thanks to West Devon Borough Council's support the club now has more junior coaches.
For more details call Adam Tofield, head junior coach, on 01822 618313.