TRADITIONALLY, Tavistock Athletic Club's annual Tavy 7 race coincides with the clocks going back, and it often coincides with the arrival of the autumn weather. This year, the organisers' hearts were in their mouths as they battled to set up for the event on Plasterdown during ferocious winds and rain from Storm Austen.

However, although continuing strong winds made the course challenging on Sunday, the race itself stayed dry and even sunny.

This year, 310 finishers from clubs around the region, as well as unattached local runners, raced the main event which was sponsored by Tavistock Hire Centre.

The 7-mile course starts and finishes in a local field and steers a challenging route around Pew Tor and Sampford Spiney. The Tavy 7 race also incorporated the Ross Shield - a prestigious trophy competed for by eligible Devon running clubs which, in the case of the men's shield, has been contested for over a hundred years.

The male shield is awarded to the first eligible team of six runners, the women's equivalent is awarded to the first team of three to finish.

There was also the return of the accompanying Tavy 7 Fun Run, sponsored by Tavistock Round Table, a 1-mile run around the start/finish field, which commenced after the main runners had left the area. 18 youngsters demonstrated gutsy running over hilly and rough terrain. First to finish was Daisy Reynard, followed by Oscar Norton and Jimmy Robson.

City of Plymouth AC’s Josh Blake bettered his second-placed finish from last year by winning the main run in a great time of 38min 39s.

He was followed home by Ronnie Haynes (Erme Valley Harriers) in 39:46 and Sam Rowell (South West Road Runners) in 40:31. As well as the Ross Shield, a team prize is also awarded to the first four male runners in any club. First team this year was South West Road Runners, followed by Erme Valley Harriers and Honiton RC.

First lady home was Charlotte Walker (Tavistock AC) in 43:10, followed by Laura Macro (South West Road Runners) in 44:23 and Hannah Smith (Tavistock AC) in 45:35. South West Road Runners also won the female team prize with 2nd and 3rd places going to Tavistock AC and Honiton RC.

With a magnificent team of runners, showing real strength in depth, South West Road Runners retained the Ross Shield for the third year in a row, with a 6-main team comprising Sam Rowell, Ash Voralia, Joel Heatley, Colin Densham, Martyn Densham and Jack Eade.

The ladies' Ross Shield was also retained by last year's winners (pictured) - Tavistock AC’s trio comprising Charlotte Walker, Hannah Smith and Hannah Walker.

Putting on such an event takes an enormous amount of organisation and individual effort, led this year by Race Director Allan Herdman (who also did a superb job as race commentator).

He paid tribute to all who pulled together to deliver another successful event. He offered specific thanks to sponsors Tavistock Hire Centre (Tavy 7) and the Tavistock Round Table (Tavy 7 Fun Run) for their support.

Allan also recognised Tavistock Lions for providing marshal support, White Cross Training for emergency first aid cover and Millie's catering van. Lastly, he thanked those inside and outside of TAC who helped with marshaling, drink stations, registration, parking, bag drop, signage, results management, photography and all those who set up and dismantled the infrastructure in less-than-ideal conditions.