THE Bideford half marathon was the second race in Tavistock Athletic Club's newly reinstated Grand Prix series, with 22 members among the 1,054 starters.
In the 13.1 mile race Jo Meek was not only second lady to the finish, she also set a new club record for her age category. Pete Bazley was next TAC home, finishing fourth in his age-group and close behind in fifth was Sharon Daw, who knocked 12 minutes off the club's previous best time for the female 45 half marathon. Just seconds behind her was Rebecca Mingo; Ann Woodhouse finished third the female 65+ category.
Recent hard training at the club paid dividends in this race, with six runners gaining personal bests — Rebecca Mingo, Hugh Myott, Julia Manghan, Hannah Colston, John Windermer and Andrew Alcock.
TAC times, and the UK Athletics awards gained are as follows: Jo Meek (diamond) 1hour 19minutes 52seconds. Pete Bazley (d)1.31.44. Sharon Daw (d)1.32.51. Rebecca Mingo (silver) 1.32.57. Wally Lake (d)1.33.14. David Twine (gold) 1.34.16. John Marshall (bronze) 1.42.04. Nicole Heryet (b)1.42.45. Paul Marshall (s)1.45.22.
Tony Shearer (s) 1.45.46. Trevor Williams (d)1.47.39. Hugh Myott (b)1.49.08. John Bills (g)1.49.46. Julia Maghan (b)1.50.44. Hannah Colston (b)1.53.52. John Windermer (s)1.54.29. Andrew Alcock (b)1.54.36. Paul Bumford 1.57.34. Jane Carroll 2.24.40. Ann Woodhouse (s)2.26.12.
n Training continues at the club with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and track sessions on Monday evening and Saturday morning.
For more information http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or 01822 612577.
nTAVISTOCK Athletic Club Grand Prix is now underway with two of the 10 races completed. In this members compete against the others in their age group, receiving 10 points for coming first, nine for second etc.
Eighteen members competed in the Plymouth Hoe 10, and 20 in the Bideford Half Marathon, an increase in numbers from last year. The leaders in the Grand Prix won their age groups in both events, and therefore have a maximum 20 points — there are three ladies and three men in this position. For the ladies, Jo Meek leads the way after two outstanding runs, tying with Nicole Heryet and Ann Woodhouse. The leading men are John Marshall, Pete Bazley and Trevor Williams.
The next Grand Prix event is the Plympton Mad March Hare 10K on March 20.