THREE Tavistock runners tuned up for this weekend's Devon Cross Country Championships by tackling the the trails and paths of Woodbury Common near Exeter for the gruelling Bicton Blister 10 mile multi-terrain race at the weekend.

With its reputation as one of the more challenging of races, the Blister takes runners from the start at Bicton Agricultural College, through some undulating lanes before hitting Woodbury Common. Seemingly endless uphills and rapid, rock strewn descents leave runners with little opportunity to find their rhythm before hitting the final mile of road back to the finish.

It soon became obvious that the likely winner would come from Tavistock AC's Jim Cole, ex-England International Stuart Hall of Plymouth and off-road specialist Ceri Rees from Totnes.

It was Cole and Rees who matched each other stride for stride in the last mile of lanes back to the college with Jim Cole first home by a mere 13 seconds.

Tavistock's two veteran runners, Tony Symons and Charlie Lloyd displayed their strength on hills with Symons leaving most other veterans behind him to take seventh position in the race and win his over 50 veteran age group in style. Charlie Lloyd ran strongly for a 27th place overall and an excellent fourth in the highly competitive Veteran 45 competition.