SATURDAY’S lashing rain disappeared just in time to drain away the water ready for the Tavy 7 - the annual seven mile race across Dartmoor organised by Tavistock Athletic Club.

This year there was a record sell out entry of 700 for the current course that was introduced in 2011. When they arrived on Sunday morning they were gifted with glorious sunshine and a gentle breeze – most uncommon for the Plasterdown/Pewtor/Sampford Spiney area in October.

The race promised to be an interesting one – with some large club turnouts (50 runners from Storm in Plymouth, Tavistock Athletic Club having 40 runners and Plymouth Musketeers 39 runners). Some of the teams were competing for the Devon County Team Road Running Championships, known as the Ross Shield.

Fifty four per cent of the field were female, showing a growing popularity for the sport and one third of the entrants were not members of a running club.

At the sharp end of the race, Cheltenham runner Phil Wylie broke Jim Cole’s eight year-old course record finishing in 36 minutes 23 seconds to pick up £100 in prize money. Serane Stone from Tiverton took the ladies’ honours.

Tavistock AC ladies won Tavy 7 and the Ross Shield making them 2019 Devon Cross Country and road race champions. In the men’s race South Molton Strugglers took the Tavy 7 team prize, with Tavistock AC second and Tavistock Run Project third. Devon County officials are waiting for information to confirm the men’s Ross Shield placings.

Race organisers Tavistock AC chair Alistair Kinsey said: ‘We’re delighted that today we put on another top quality running event. Runners travelled from far and wide for this record entry run. We’re delighted that they all went home with great big smiles on their faces. I’d like to thank our sponsors, Hansford Bell and Mansbridge Balment and the support of Dartmoor National Park, Tavistock Town Council and Tavistock Lions.’

Full results can be found at www.tavistockathletics.co.uk/events/tavy-7/