TAVISTOCK Athletic Club are putting out a call to other local sports clubs, non-sporting organisations and businesses to join in the headline sporting event of the Tavistock Town Carnival. Staged on the evening of July 13 in aid of the Carnival Charities, the annual Tavistock Town Relays consist of a four runner relay over a 1.1 mile course on both sides of the River Tavy between West and Abbey bridges. Starting on the main path through the Tavistock Meadows, the races include prize categories for both men?s and women?s teams who qualify as local sports clubs (excluding running clubs) and local non-sporting organisations. Reigning champions are Tavistock AFC and Tavistock Hockey Club in the men?s and women?s sports clubs and Capita Business Systems in both categories for local organisations. So why not get a team of just four friends or colleagues together and keep fit over the summer months by training for the challenge? The annual event begins with a Fun Run at 6.30 pm over a single 1.1 mile lap. This is followed by the Junior event for boys? and girls? teams in three categories, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 . The headline event is the Senior Relay at around 7.15pm with a strong presence from Devon and Cornwall running clubs in an event which has become well established in the region?s athletic calendar. ?The Town Relays continue to grow in popularity amongst the many Running Clubs in the area. Last year teams from as far away as Exmouth made the journey to compete here,? said race organiser, Tony Symons of Tavistock AC. ?This year we are working to attract more local non-running clubs and organisations to the event. There are prizes for top three teams in every category,? he said. ?In addition, we hope some of the local primary schools who took part in the very popular Cross-Country series during the Winter will be encouraged to put teams into the Under 12s race.? Entry forms for the races, which are again sponsored by local business Abbey Garden Machinery, can be downloaded from the Tavistock Athletic Club website at http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or be collected from the The Meadowlands Pool which will once again open their doors as Race HQ on the day.
