SATURDAY evening saw the 25th anniversary race called 'Duckponds', organised by Plymstock Road Runners.

The club had extended the course this year as a celebration of the anniversary from its usual 7km course to nearly 9km. As well as the normal hilly, twisty, turning route through woods and parks around Radford Lake, the route this year also included four river crossings to test endurance.

Tavistock had a somewhat depleted team due to a track and field fixture the following day. Nonetheless, the five Tavistock athletes who ventured onto the course all had pleasing results.

Neil Barkell proved too strong for local opposition and took victory in 31.46 ahead of Bristow from Erme Valley. Martin Exley-Deane picked up another age category win as he crossed the line 4th overall in 34.37.

Ever present, but always a late starter, Pete Bazley was next home in 28th. Jason Shipton had another steady run in 35th. Stuart Ross made a welcome return to off-road racing with an excellent 48th place out of 130 finishers.

A DOZEN Tavistock AC athletes took part in the annual '6 Moor Miles' race at Yelverton on Sunday (July 5).

The well established moorland race had a field of around 250 runners. The race began at Leg O' Mutton and took a northerly route across parts of Roborough Down towards the Walkham River before swinging left onto parts of the Maristow Estate.

Runners were treated to a 3-mile uphill toil back to Roborough Down through narrow bracken covered paths before charging across the flat to the finish.

But if that wasn't enough to contend with, this year the participants had to cope with everything from bright sunshine to high winds and torrential downpours.

Tavistock athletes dug deep and came home with several medals: Neil Barkell continued in his rich vein of form and took control of the race after the first mile. Neil went on to take the win (37.51mins) comfortably from Alistair Bristow of Erme Vally Harriers.

Next home from Tavistock was the GB fell runner James Best in fourth place, just 35 seconds in front of Martin Exley-Deane who picked up his age group win.

Former Tavistock athlete, Chris Eastaugh, who took a long break from the club whilst recovering from an injury, made a good comeback by winning the V50 category. The club hopes Chris will be able to re-join them soon.

Allan Herdman, fresh from a scintillating 800m performance (2:18 ranking him 2nd in the UK) at the British Milers Club last Tuesday, was the next Tavy athlete home and also winning the V60 category in 45.38mins to give him 19th place.

Next in and counting for the team was Richard Best with another solid performance in 22nd. Jason Shipton was next home in 55th place followed by Gary Chater in 57th place and just 30 seconds behind.

Tavistock female athletes Becca Exley-Deane (89th) and Nicole Heryet (93rd) had a gruelling battle with Becca just beating Nicole by 15 seconds and being the final runner that Tavy needed to take overall first place in the team prizes.

As the downpour increased to torrential proportions John Windemer crossed the line in 164th. Three minutes behind John but with smiling faces finished Kate Rogers and Sheila Houghton in 192nd and 193rd.

After the final runners crossed the line all drenched the sun came out and the runners were treated to prize giving in glorious conditions.