TAVISTOCK Athletic Club’s cross country teams raced at Exeter on Sunday in the Devon Championships – the third race in the Charles Stanley Westward League.

The course was muddy in places but the U11s appeared to float over the ground. Claudia Jones led home her TAC friends, she is now fifth in the Westward League.

The Under 17 boys and girls and senior ladies competed in a combined race. TAC ladies’ team made a valiant effort in defending their title and were rewarded with the senior ladies winning bronze and the veteran ladies a silver. Jo Meek and Jodi Fisk also both qualified for the Devon team for the South West Championships. There were age category medals for Jo, Jodi and Helen, as well as county qualification for U17s Elyse and Charlotte.

Inspired by the success of the seniors, Tavistock athletes had more success in the rest of the junior races. Charlotte Walker secured qualification for the Devon team by finishing fifth. Ewan Dix and Abe Reid finished fifth and sixth. Alongside, Ben Wilkinson they also won team bronze medals. In the same race Abe’s younger brother Isaac ran well on his debut and finishing with a smile.

The last race of the afternoon was the senior men’s.

The mud was now several inches deep for long stretches but all 14 men have experience and relished the conditions. Age category medals were won by Richard Drage, Richard Best, Steve Thackham, Allan Herdman and Bob Chapman.

Overall, it was a fantastic day. A great undulating and varied course, lovely late autumn sunshine, lots of success and terrific team spirit.

Results: U11s: Claudia Jones 23, Ellena Hess 30, Florence Riggott 31, Josh Allott 34, George Page 35, Maxim Smith 42, Tamsyn Reid 43, Mirianthi Crossey 66.

U13 girls: Piper Haffenden 15th (10th Devon Championships), Freya Page 19th. U13 boys: James Crossey 18th, Noah Reid 20th, Thomas Harris 26th, Adam Wolfenden 27th.

U15 girls: Charlotte Walker sixth (fifth Devon), Hannah Walker 11th. U15 boys: Ewan Dix sixth (fifth Devon), Abe Reid seventh (sixth), Ben Wilkinson 19th, Isaac Reid 20th.

U17 boys and girls and senior ladies: Will Russell 13th, Jo Meek 19th (third overall, second V40), Jodi Fisk 31st (1st V35), Tilly McDowell 50th, Sam Lake 51st, Caroline Steven 71st, Elyse Kedzior-MacDonough 72nd (sixth Devon U17), Charlotte Tilney 73rd (seventh U17), Issy Johnson 79th, Hannah Worth 98th, Helen Kula-Przezwanski 118th (third V60), Bryony Hancock 144th, Victoria Tilney 155th, Hazel Walker 162nd.

Senior men: Will Dax 18th, Ed Horn 48th, Martin Exley-Deane 57th, James Armstrong 58th, Darren Evans 78th, Alistair Peers 84th, Richard Drage 85th (first V60), Richard Best 112th (second V55), Steve Thackham 114th (3rd V55), Bertie Hancock 116th, Dave Harris 122nd, Pat MacDonough 132nd, Allan Herdman 135th (second V65), Bob Chapman 155th (first V70).