TAVISTOCK Athletic Club athletes turned out in force for a major cross-country event at Exeter Arena last Sunday.

Thirty two runners represented the club across all age-groups in the third fixture of this season's Brooks Westward Cross Country League. The event was combined with the Devon County Championships.

The Exeter course always presents a strong challenge to runners being muddy underfoot and the rain descended for the final race.

In the development race for U11s it was Tavistock's Jenny Milburn who led the girls home, only narrowly headed by two boys. Jenny was ably supported by fine runs from Natasha Farrington in 11th and Tilly McDowell in 19th. The most exciting race featured Tavistock's U17 boys and senior ladies. In the boys U17s Sam Lane De Courtin took the lead from the start in order to help team-mate James Best in his challenge for victory. As Sam tired, James moved ahead, closely on the tail of the leading North Devon runner. In a fine show of tactical running, James shadowed his rival until the final ascent, when he surged into the lead only for both runners to be overtaken by a blistering finish from a Plymouth A.C. athlete. James's superb second place was a well-deserved reward for his hard work. Harrison Baker finished in 13th. Further down the field, Heather Fell ran well despite carrying an injury in 29th overall, with Alice Rogers in 40th, Pete Jarman 43rd and the improving David Farmer 53rd.

In the U13 girl's race, Siân Temple finishing in a convincing second place with Jasmin Gray in a superb 8th. The U13s boys race was set alight by a stunning race-winning Tavistock debut from Lachlan Fulton. Lachlan was ably supported by the strong runs from Harry Herdman in 10th, Matteo Pearce in 14th and Jamie Crocker-Valeron in 19th.

In the U15s girls, Tavistck's team challenge may have been hampered by the absence of Tess Masselik, but this did not stop Emily Attfield running a season's best third place. Molly Rickwood's 11th place reflected her superb effort.

The U15 boys fielded their largest team of the season in the penultimate race of the day with Josh Blake in 14th place just edging out team-mate William Dax in 15th over over 3.9K. They were both followed closely by debutant Johannis Clifford-Flower in 16th with Henry Wake completing the team in 32nd.

The finale of the senior men's race featured the biggest field of the season, with Tavistock once again well represented.

Their top runner Jim Cole gave his best and must be pleased with his 9th place, using the race as a stepping stone to build form after a year littered with injuries. Second Tavistock finisher was veteran 50 Tony Symons, battling throughout the 8.9K race to take 39th place. Rupert Warren was 46th, Martin Exley 67th and Charlie Lloyd in 87th. Closely behind were Owen Drage in 95th, vet 55 Allan Herdman 99th - on the eve of his 60th birthday — Bob Chapman in 105th, Richard Best in 108th and Robin Musgrave in 130th.