THE cross country competition at Princetown last week was the final event in the Tavistock Area Schools Series. This was a new course, set up by Allan Herdman and Martin Exley-Deane of Tavistock Athletic Club and was run on the moorland just outside the village.

The first race of year 5 and 6 girls went off, following their hare, Martin. First home was Alice Bickley of Whitchurch followed by Kristyna Cade of St Andrew's and Helena Woodbridge-Harris from Horrabridge. These three girls have been in the top three of all three cross country events with Alice winning the individual gold, Kristyna the silver and Helena the bronze for the series.

Poppy Hearne of Tavistock and Izzy Bray of Horrabridge took fourth and fifth places.

The boys' race also ended up in similar fashion in the three race order for the gold, silver and bronze medals.

First was Joe Dix of St Peter's, second Dan Luckham of Whitchurch and third, Charlie Elkington of Tavistock. Luke Tyler of Lady Modiford's and Freddie Fuller of St Andrew's were fourth and fifth respectively.

While Allan was collating the team results, the year 3 and 4 girls race began, closely followed by the year 3 and 4 boys. In years three and four Jessica Griffiths of St Andrew's led the girls home, followed by Isabelle Boulle of Horrabridge and Maisie Pritchard-Jenkins of Lady Modiford's. Ewan Dix, brother of Joe, won the boys' race.

Team results: Large schools - winners of the shield and gold medals were St Andrews, represented on the day by Kristyna Cade, Lara Brinsden, Chelsie Paton, Isobelle Brodribb, Eva Aves, Freddie Fuller, Jonathan Griffiths, Barney Hunt, Alex Richardson, Dillon Hemming and Abey Reid.

Silver went to Whitchurch represented on the day by Alice Bickley, Beth Foster, Ruth Anning, Emma Luckham, Elena Prior, Orla Maguire, Dan Luckham, Evan Ord, Will Rowe, Archie Gray, Jacob Decieco and William White.

Small schools — Meavy won the gold medals with Charles Bowden, Charlie Hooper-Noulton, Luke Searle, Archie West, Owen Howells, Izzy Bray, Anya Taylor, Jasmine Parsons, Phoebe West, Salome Jordan and Amelia Bradfield.

Silver went to the Mary Tavy and Brentor team of Issey Hillman, Rowan Geyde-Jones, Jemima Libby, Lila Kingsland, Jared Hunter, Blu Elliott, Solly Hunter, Billy Kent, James Crossey and Sam Palmer.

Mhairi McCall, one of the organisers, thanked all who helped at the three events and congratulated the record number of runners who took part in the successful series.