EIGHT members of Tavistock Athletic Club's finest competed in the Torremolinos Half Marathon in southern Spain on February 1.
This is the third consecutive time that club members have taken part in this event and fittingly three athletes mounted the rostrum to collect trophies and well earned prize money.
The Tavistock competitors were also sporting their new TAC overseas vests.
The course starts in the heart of the town and makes it way through the tree lined boulevard down towards the promenade at the 5km point. The course is then flat for 7km along the sea front before turning into the foothills. Uncharacteristically for Torremolinos the skies were overcast and featured strong gusting winds. Running along the seafront the Tavistock competitors felt some occasional mild rain and strong gusts of wind that made steady running very difficult.
One who suffered most from the wind was Steve Groombridge who was forced to withdraw at the 12km mark with a pulled calf muscle. At this point in the race there is a long hill that winds its way up through the narrow whitewashed streets and creates a mini suntrap. The heat meant that first time competitor Rupert Warren misjudged the length of the hill and had to drop back only to see team-mate Chris Eastaugh power ahead and go on to finish in front of him. Warren eventually finished 13th in his age category.
Finishing the race some way behind Rupert and Chris was Dr Lloyd Charles, who had been training really hard for this event. Unfortunately a shellfish meal two days earlier meant that Dr Charles had to take the race very steadily.
The Men's 45-50 category proved highly successful for Tavistock with E Mexley, first, Tony Symons, second, Chris Eastaugh fourth, and Dr Charles finishing fifth. Both Tony and Mexley had contested the Torremolinos Half Marathon before and have now received two trophies each.
Racer of the day went to Tavistock AC Chairman Allan Herdman who ran a great race and finished second in his M65 age category. Mounting the rostrum in front of the cheering crowds who had stayed behind to congratulate the winners, Allan was clearly proud when the British National Anthem was played.
The last of the Tavistock athletes to finish was Rebecca Deane who ran really well finishing 10 minutes ahead of her predicted time. Although running strongly she did suffer from cramps at kilometres three and 16.
Tavistock Athletic Club would like to thank the organisers of the Torremolinos Half Marathon for laying on a great and well organised run.
The winners of the race were two Kenyan and an Ethiopian athlete. The winning time was just over 65 minutes.