A RECORD amount of school children signed up for the Tavy 13 Primary Schools Challenge this year, with numbers rising from 247 to 317.

With so many children taking part and ages ranging from five to eleven, the challenge was split into three runs.

The start and finish was on the track this year which allowed the supporters to cheer loudly at the beginning and end of each run. Year 2 and below went off first, a train of sunshine running off into the distance with numerous mums and dads keeping them company.

When they were all safely back Years 3 and 4 took to the track and completed the one mile circuit, around the back of Tavistock Primary School and college and round the 3G pitches back to the track again.

Year 5 and 6 were next, having cheered their younger running mates out and in.

Hare for the previous two runs, Dan Luffman, had to retire injured so it was left to the front runners of Dan Luckham and Joe Dix — both TAC athletes — to lead the last group of runners round the course, which they did very ably.

Each entrant received a medal on finishing, presented by Mas, the CHICKS teddy bear mascot and his human helpers. Shaun McDermott of Pens and Moor supplied the medals and entertained the children on the day with some Gaelic football on the pitch inside the track.

It was heart-warming for all the adults watching to see so many children of all shapes and sizes and running ability taking part in this very worthwhile event.

Three hundred and seventeen children have run one mile every week since the beginning of January so they could run their 13th at the Tavy 13 and get their own half marathon t-shirt and medal. And they all had smiles on their faces!

Mhairi McCall, one of the event organisers, thanked the schools, the parents and the volunteer helpers who made the occasion such a wonderful success.

'Keeping fit and healthy is fun and we need to get that message across to everyone! The sun shone all day and the challenge T-shirts matched the sunshine.'

Organisers thanked sponsors from Curtis, Whiteford, Crocker solicitors.