THE Tavistock Athletic Club's athlete of the month is Peter Bazley. As leader of the Bedford group, Pete takes runners on tough on and off-road runs, largely ignoring time-constraints, telling jokes and amending the route as he goes - but always looking out for others.

His own running continues to improve, at an age when many are beginning to slow. Pete, a much valued member, races most weekends, and rarely finishes outside of the top three positions in his male 50+ age group. Recent successes have included Totnes 10k, when he knocked over four minutes off his 2008 time for the race, organising and competing in a TAC team which won Albaston Relays, and finishing in 32nd in the tough off-road Burrator Horseshoe.

The Club's trip to the New Forest Half Marathon is three weeks away, and training has been hotting up. This Sundays' long run, organised by club coach Dotty Allan, was a breezy and wet affair - 14 miles along the Camel Trail, starting from and returning to Padstow for fish and chips, with encouragement en route from Dotty's son, George, on his bike.

n If you already run and would enjoy the company of like-minded people or if you'd like to get started, visit our http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or call 01822 612577.