TAVISTOCK runners turned out in numbers to mark the first race of the new cross-country season on Sunday.

More than 40 athletes across all age-groups gathered for the opening round of the Frank Elford Sports Westward League in Plymouth’s Central Park.

The action started with the Under-11’s with a huge entry in excess of 70 providing enthusiastic racing combining both boys and girls. The first Tavistock finisher was the impressive Krystyna Cade in 18th, with Finn Jordan the first boy in 32nd, Ella Shaw 39th, Liberty Kappes 43rd, Emma Luckham 47th, Oliver Hooper 53rd, Emelia Woodmason 60th, Isabella Antonic 68th and Georgia Antonic 78th.

The combined senior ladies and U17s men race saw an outstanding senior debut by Tess Masselink who came eleventh with fellow debutant Victoria Moore running strongly for 27th. Bridie Head was 49th, Phoebe Lloyd-Evans 58th, Helen Orme 68th and Jenny Sabine 77th. Kate Rogers led the veterans home in 97th with Donna Stacey 106th Rebecca Exley-Deane 107th, Liz Brew 114th, Samantha Antolic 119th.

Next up were the U13 girls, who were led home by Tavistock’s top finisher of the day, Tilly McDowell, in fourth followed by fellow team members Alice Bickley 19th and Charlotte Harris 21st.

The U13 boys turned out in numbers. Top finisher was the talented Oliver Woodmason in fifth with Matt Luckham 12th and Joe Dix 16th, completing the first Tavistock team. Dan Mercer in 20th, Evan Ord 25th and Jamie Brew 29th were the second Tavistock team to finish.

A fiercely competitive mixed U15s race saw Tom Brew come through in eighth place, with Natasha Farrington 27th and Jenny Milburn in 34th placing high amongst the girl finishers.

The finale saw a huge field of 170 senior men competing over the testing 9 km course. Josh Blake’s day was marred by an injury which slowed the final lap of an otherwise excellent senior debut, finishing 57th. Tavistock veteran Pete Bazley was 110th, Dave Harris 112th, debutant Francis Dix 124th, Matt Mercer 140th, Bob Chapman 149th, Matt Luckham 156th, Martin Exley-Deabe 157th with newest club member Toby Rankin in 168th completing a great turnout for the club.