THE 2008 Sticklepath Horseshoe race was narrowly won by Nigel Jenkins (Tavistock AC) from clubmate Andrew Vallance (Tavistock AC). Both runners soon emerged from the rest of the field early in the ten mile moorland circuit of the source of the Taw Valley.

By Belstone Taw, Vallance took the lead which he held by a few seconds until the final descent of Cosdon, when Jenkins took advantage at a gate and was able to hold off Vallance by 25 seconds to finish on the Sticklepath Flower show field to the warm applause of the crowd.

The winning time of 1hr 17mins 50secs was about 30 seconds slower than his winning time in 2007.

Roger Voaden was third and Gavin Punchard was fourth. Gavin, from Sticklepath, also won the prize for best local.

The fastest female of the day was Robin Carter from Dartmoor Runners in a time of 1.52.21, followed by local Deborah Cunningham from Belstone. The event course records of 1.09.41 (male, N Holmes in 1997) and 1.32.59 (female, R Pickvance in 2002) remain unchallenged.

The event was held in a day of persistent rain and poor visibility, and involved nearly 2000 ft of total ascent climbing on the moor.

Competitors travelled long distances to participate in the event, including Ian Manfield from Leeds (Abbey Runners) and John Mackintosh from Rossendale in Lancashire.

The organisers were grateful for the Little Weeke Cider Company for sponsoring the event with drinks and t-shirts and to all the marshals who braved the weather to look after check points, including Matthew Haygarth, Josh and Jess Punchard, Wendy Manfield, Jon Padfield, David Bowles, Mike Savage, Chris Gommersall, Chris Farr, Simon Hancock, David Stallion and Neil Gilbanks.

Phil Haygarth, who conceived the race in the early 1990s will be stepping back from lead organiser role next year, handing over the baton to a new Sticklepath-based race committee led by Wendy Manfield, David Bowles, Gavin Punchard and Mike Steward. This classic event will continue next year and is in good hands. Phil is grateful to all those who have supported the event over the years and wishes the new organisers the best for the future.

Results: 1, Nigel Jenkins (Tavistock AC) MV, 1hr 17mins 50secs; 2, Andrew Vallance (Tavistock AC) MS, 1.18.15; 3, Roger Voaden (Okehampton) MV, 1.22.17; 4, Gavin Punchard (Tavistock AC) MV, 1.23.45; 5, Ian Manfield (Abbey Runners) MV,1.30.11; 6, Jonathan Croome (Exmouth Harriers) MV, 1.30.59; 7, Paul Crease (Lewdown) MS, 1.36.14; 8= John Dodge (Dartmoor Runners), MV, 1.43.49, 8= Ian Kendal (Plymouth Harriers), MV, 1.43.49; 10, Hamish Wilson (Plymouth) MV, 1.44.12; 11= Ian Bowles (Teignbridge Trotters) MV, 1.51.56, 11= John Mackintosh (Rossendale), MV, 1.51.56; 13, John Woodman (Axe Valley Runners), MS, 1.52.15; 14, Robin Carter (Dartmoor Runners) FV, 1.52.21; 15, Stewart Bondi (Dartmoor Runners), MV, 1.58.34; 16, Deborah Cunningham (Fairy Kissed), FV, 2.04.40; 17, Lorraine Croome (Dartmoor Runners) FV, 2.05.52; 18, Carol Barkwell (Fairy Kissed), FV, 2.14.18.