THE first event of the 2019/2020 Westward League Cross Country season took place in Central Park, Plymouth on Sunday.

Clubs from Taunton to Penzance took part and once again Tavistock AC had one of the largest turnouts with 47 members taking part. Glorious autumnal sunshine helped towards an enjoyable day of racing where every runner gave their best.

The event started with an under 11s race. There was a sea of red TAC T-shirts as ten children represented the club, many of whom were making their debuts. Claudia Jones led the team home in 11th place. She was closely followed by Ellena Hess (13th) and Florence Riggott (19th).

Next up was the senior ladies’ race of just over three miles on a challenging, hilly course. Jo Meek had a phenomenal run and was backed up by excellent efforts by all 11 ladies.

The U13 girls had the best TAC team performance of the day and achieved high placings for both their A and B teams. Matilda Riggott in eighth had the honour of leading them home.

The final race was the senior men’s race. TAC had one of their best performances in recent years with the scoring team all coming inside the top 60.

Unfortunately Brad Stevens, who was making his debut in the senior ranks, dislocated his shoulder when running inside the top 10. He displayed great courage and determination in completing the race before heading to hospital to get an X-ray. Indeed, these attributes were shown by all TAC runners – young and old – who conquered the hills and ran as fast as they could to help their team and club.

Full results: U11s (combined boys and girls): Claudia Jones 11th, Ellena Hess 13th, Florence Riggott 19th, George Page 23rd, Nell Maguire 32nd, Polly Coldron 48th, Isobel Willingham 50th, Ewan Mill 54th, Erin Cockle 55th, and Rose Orme 60th.

U13 girls: Matilda Riggott eighth, Piper Haffenden 19th, Freya Page 21st, Sophie Varcoe 22nd, Penny Jones 27th, Elsie Maguire 30th and Molly Whiteley 35th. U13 boys: Nicolas Maczugowski 16th, James Crossey 25th and Thomas Harris 28th.

U15s (combined boys and girls): Jacob Holland 16th, Kristyna Cade 18th and Charlotte Walker 20th.

Senior women (including under 17 boys and girls): Jo Meek 18th, Sam Lake 35th, Tilly McDowell 42nd, Caroline Steven 57th, Elyse Kedzior-MacDonough 59th, Hannah Worth 60th, Charlotte Tilney 63rd, Helen Orme 64th, Sarah Holland 98th, Helen Kula-Przezwanski 107th, Kate Rogers 134th, Victoria Tilney 144th and Hazel Walker 151st.  

Senior men: Adam Holland 22nd, Will Dax 29th, Ed Horn 34th, Martin Exley-Deane 49th, Brad Stevens 60th, Richard Drage 71st, Alistair Peers 94th, Pat MacDonough 105th, Richard Best 106th, Guy Riggott 128th and Bob Chapman 152nd.