THE strength of Tavistock Athletic Club's veteran running was again highlighted with an outstanding victory by Richard Drage running in the Southern Counties Masters Cross-country championships.
Richard wasted no time, having only just qualified for the veteran men's 50 category two weeks previously by entering these south of England championships.
The event was held at Biggleswade and conditions on the day were very good. Athletes came from all over the South with many from the South East making it a very elite field.
Richard said: 'The race was taken out quickly but I kept off the initial pace. However, by the end of the first lap I had caught up with the leaders.
'I sat in for the second lap and by the start of the third lap the lead group was down to four.
'After we had turned out of the wind on the third lap I took the lead
and increased the pace. By the start of the last lap I had about a 50 metre advantage.
'I knew I could still be caught so I just kept pushing myself. By the finish I had managed to increase my lead and it was an amazing feeling crossing the finish line!'
Richard's next major event will be the British Masters National championships which are held at the end of March.