TAVISTOCK Athletic Club has been busy this month. Young and old alike have been involved in activities ranging from 60-metre sprinting in Exeter to 26.2-mile marathon running in Paris.
On April 4 Chris Eastaugh and Allan Herdman travelled to the French capital to take part in the Paris Marathon. An event now competing with the London Marathon for size and occasion, Tavistock?s two athletes were among the 34,500 runners who started and finished at the Arc de Triomphe. Chris achieved a personal best time of 3:14:03 and Allan followed him in 3:22:41.
Two weeks later it was the London Marathon. Eight club members competed, several in their first outing at this distance.
Results for Tavistock runners: Martin Exley, 2:50:55; Steve Groombridge, 2:59:23; Roger Hewitt, 3:43:14; Keith Bowles, 3:53:49; Annette Roberts, 4:02:42; Laurie Harris, 4:27:10; Anna Johnson, 4:59:32; Marion Playle, 5:05:28.
Trying their hand at the shorter distance on the same day as Paris, four runners completed in the Taunton Half Marathon. Finishing times: Pete Bazley, 1:34:54; Roger Hewitt, 1:40:51; Steve Fraquet, 1:53:08; Adrian Bower, 1:54:44.
On April 18, two juniors entered the Great West Open, a quality track and field meeting for athletes from across the South West. Medals were up for grabs and although Tavistock only entered a small ?team?, four medals did return to Tavistock. Jake Rendle took a gold for the shot put and a silver in the 600 metres. Charlotte Herdman also took silver in the 150 metres and bronze in the 60 metres.
There is more track and field to come in May with the first Devon League meeting taking place this Sunday at Braunton and the Devon County Championships, also at the North Devon venue, coming up on May 8 and 23.
Last week the club started a new beginners? group. Despite a damp and cold Tuesday evening, 34 prospective members turned up.
Trevor Williams introduced the group to the pleasures of running and, with the assistance of Sally Pike and Lorraine Tofield, took them through their paces and, hopefully, whetted their appetite to go onto greater things!
Tavistock Athletic Club welcomes new members whatever their age and ability. Anyone interested in joining will find a home: juniors dreaming of an Olympic gold medal; more seasoned runners looking to improve their times or, perhaps, step up to a marathon; and those who may just want to get fit or make new acquaintances.
Find out more about the club on its website at http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or ring Allan on 01822 610895.