SUNDAY’s Tavy 13 saw glorious weather greet hundreds of runners to the town. Adults were taking on the challenge of the half marathon along with 400 primary school children who were completing the challenge of running their final mile having run a mile a week for the previous 12 weeks.

The main race, having sold out having reached 600 entries, was due to start at 10am. However, a serious road accident at Pitts Cleave, which was on part of the route, delayed the main race runners by an hour.

Race organisers pressed on with the junior runners, sending them off in ‘waves’ around the perimeter of Tavistock College to finish the mile on the track and claim the prestigious and well earned Primary School Challenge medal. Huge crowds, big cheers and smiles greeted the children as they crossed the finishing line.

Then it was back to the half marathon for the participants to take on the testing, but beautiful Dartmoor course.

Ben Neale took the race on again, having won it last year, but went even better taking the course record from Jim Cole by 13 seconds when he finished in 1 hour 15 minutes 6 seconds. Rachel Malthouse also repeated last year’s victory to take the ladies’ prize. Full results can be found at www.tavy13.co.uk

The hundreds of runners that took part were delighted with the run and the weather which ensured everyone came onto the track with a big smile along with a sense of achievement.

Tavistock Athletic Club who organised the event said they were delighted with the day’s proceedings.

Club chair, Alistair Kinsey said: ‘We’d like to thank all runners who took part today – not only have they supported the club raising funds but they have shown how to have fun whilst having spirited runs. It’s been a superb morning’s run and a tribute to the hard work from the athletic club and Tavistock Lions volunteers, to who we would like to pass our special thanks.’