DESPITE freezing conditions a week last Sunday, a hardy group from Tavistock Athletic Club turned out to compete in two half marathons and a 10k race.

Five hundred and fifty athletes ran ten kilometres around Exeter to raise vital funds for Age UK's 'Spread the Warmth' campaign. Under-17 Harrison Baker was the club's lone entrant and he had an excellent race, finishing in 30th position overall, in 38minutes 26seconds, which gives him a very well deserved platinum time for his age/time.

Jim Cole was also the only club member running in the Yeovil Half Marathon on a tough and hilly 13.1-mile route. A local man was the eventual winner, but Jim ran a very fast race to finish second in a diamond time of 1.10.50.

The club welcomed more than 200 athletes from around the region to the fourth running of their own half marathon, the Tavy 13. The weather this year made it quite literally a breathtaking race, taking competitors though the town and along the cycle path to Crease Lane before climbing up towards Chipshop in the face of a biting easterly wind.

Jo and Jon Meek were the first two TAC athletes to cross the finish line in conditions that could not be more different to the huge challenge they will face as they compete in the Marathon des Sables, a six-day ultra marathon adventure in the Sahara desert in less than a week's time.

Jo was first female to finish in overall sixth place in 1.24.05, whilst Jon came fifth in his age category, finishing in 1.33.06. Reuben Grice ran strongly to finish in 36th position, in 1.36.20.

Pete Bazley was competing in his hundredth half marathon, and although he found the conditions tough-going he nonetheless finished third in his age group in a gold award time of 1.42.31.

Andrew Alcock was running as part of his training for the Stockholm Marathon and he completed in just half a minute over two hours.

n If you competed in the Tavy 13, the club invites you to attend five trial sessions. With six groups running out each Tuesday and Thursday evening, there is one to suit you. Visit the website http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or call 01822 612577 for more information.