THE Tavistock Athletic Club Christmas Handicap was held on Whitchurch Down on Sunday, establishing a welcome return for this annual event. Thirty-five club members, family and friends turned out for this 4.1 mile road race and enjoyed excellent running conditions. The field included a welcome number of junior club athletes but the first runner home winning the ladies' race was Sue Bratchley in an actual time of 30 minutes 1 seconds. In overall second place and winning the men's race was Reuben Grice who recorded an actual race time of 30 mins 51 secs. The fastest time was recorded by the U17 athlete Tom Lawson who finished in an excellent time of 22 mins 56 secs, closely followed by fellow U17 runner Tom Gill in a time of 23 mins 5 secs. In the ladies' race the best time was recorded by ex-club member Frances McKinnon in an impressive time of 26 mins 52 secs with Sarah Palmer, also an U17 club member, finishing as the second fastest lady in an equally impressive time of 27 mins 2 secs. The informal race reflected a number of notable good performances, including the club's two leading U13 girls with Claire Fraser recording a race time of 27 mins 36 secs as the third fastest lady and Sarah Hornby finishing in overall fourth place in an actual time of 29 mins 15 secs.
