ONE of the most popular half marathons in the country took place in the South West when The Bristol Half attracted world-class runners and more than 15,000 entries.

There was a superb run by Tavistock Athletic Club's Jim Cole, who finish in 35th place to acheive an outstanding result!

TAC's fastest female runner was Jo Meek, who finished 139th, gaining the second quickest club time for the distance, while Steve Groombridge, finishing 165th, set a new club record for the male 55 plus age category.

John Harfoot, making his debut for the club, had a great race, as did Rob Moule.

TAC times: Jim Cole 1 hour, 11 minutes, 6 seconds, Jo Meek 1.21.11, Steve Groombridge 1.22.47, Martin Gibbs 1.41.42, Rob Moule 1.47.20, Megan Fell 1.51.09, Eunice Moule 1.54.34, John Harfoot 1.55.55, Hannah Coulston 1.56.45, Lesley Cowie 2.09.20, Jane Carroll 2.30.54.

Three TAC runners entered a shorter race nearer home. The Bideford Ten Miler sees runners returning to the town along the Tarka Trail, next to the River Torridge. Andy Houghton finished in 1.18.07, fourth in his M60+ age group. Rob Kirby ran strongly to finish in 1.20.22, and Sheila Houghton whittled two minutes off her F55+ club record time to finish second in the age category in 1.30.34.

The junior runners in the club had excelled at the Saltram 5k race the day before, with Tom Gill finishing first U18 runner in sixth place overall and Nick Champion seconds behind in eighth place and second U18. George Speak finished only 30 seconds later, in 11th while Ben Brown, Claire Fraser and Rebecca Windemer all ran strongly.

In the male 65 plus age-group, Trevor Williams ran strongly to set a new club record.

Full times: Tom Gill 17.04, Nick Champion 17.27, Tony Symons 17.30, George Speak 18.00, Tim Brooks 18.16, Ben Brown 19.26, Claire Fraser 20.01, Peter Bazley 21.27, Rebecca Windemer 22.14, Trevor Williams 22.35, Karole Champion 30.52.

In the Run Exe 5k, a series of four monthly races throughout the summer, reached its conclusion.

Richard Drage finished ninth overall, first in the male 50 plus category, in 16.52, winning the series for that group. Tony Symons came home seconds later in 17.10 and also won his male 45 plus age-group and the series, as did Heather Fell, (18.27), again winning not just the senior female race but also the series.

Keith Bowles finished second in the M60+ group, in 23.13.

Steve Groombridge did not compete in this final race but had done enough in the previous three to win the series in the male 55 plus age-group.