ALMOST 400 athletes and joggers converged on Whitchurch Down on Sunday for the annual Mansbridge and Balment Tavy 7-mile road race.
A further 100 runners took part in the fun run. The field had an international flavour with runners from France and Canada. Home runners came from as far away as London and Durham.
Despite wet, windy and misty weather the runners set off at a brisk pace, and before long were sprinting down the home straight to the finish.
The winner, Ricky Botler of Bideford, was a full minute clear of the pack, but other placings were hotly contested in the closing stages.
First lady home was Revis Crowle from East Cornwall finishing an impressive 31st overall.
All age groups competed, with senior citizens for the day being 74-year-old Mollie Tremblett and 80-year-old Edmund Perks.
Tavistock AC members did not compete as they were committed to the race organisation, but their junior members did well in the fun run. Luke Dumper and Adam Holland of Tavistock AC finished first and second, while Emma Passmore, also of Tavistock AC, won the girls? event.
Both races were sponsored by Mansbridge and Balment whose representative, Martin Gibbs, not only presented the trophies but also competed, finishing in a respectable 82nd place.
The races were organised by members of Tavistock Athletic Club under the leadership of Dominic Eyre.
With runner-friendly organisation and a scenic Dartmoor course, the Tavy 7 has become one of the premier road races in the South West of England.