DESPITE the severe weather over the weekend, Tavistock Athletic Club managed to hold their monthly open 5k race – ‘The Tavy5’.

Organisers from the club had seen that there was a window of opportunity for the Saturday morning race to go ahead. Using their Facebook page (Tavy5) they promoted the event at short notice, whilst other events were cancelling.

The course, which starts and finishes at the track at Tavistock College, is entirely on footpaths around the back of the college and through the Meadows; it was declared clear and safe after an inspection at 6.20am.

Forty five runners and joggers started happy in drizzly, damp conditions but on time at 9.15am.

Local runner from Tavistock Running Project Lewis Mill went into an early lead after half a mile and was not to be headed, coming home in 19 minutes 04 seconds to claim his first victory in the race.

Second home was Plymouth Musketeer Lee Herbert in 19.20, followed by Jodi Fisk in 19.25 to pick up the first ladies’ place. Plymouth Musketeers had 14 runners in the race due to their local run in Plymouth being cancelled.

Martin Exley-Deane, on behalf of the organisers, said: ‘At around 9.30am the weather conditions changed dramatically with lashing rain and strong winds hampering the gallant runners. Nonetheless, the participants all went home with warm smiles knowing that they had completed a run and got some fitness work done.’

Organisers of the Tavy5 have announced that next month’s run on March 14 will be held in aid of Sport Relief. Entries are done online and cost £5 with the entry fee being donated to Sport Relief. When the Sport Relief event was held two years ago it had the largest participation ever for the Tavy5.

Results from Saturday’s race and details of next months Sport Relief run can be found at www.tavistockathletics.co.uk/events/tavy-5/