TAVISTOCK Athletic Club's Grand Prix race series has got off to a flying start. This year, the series is being organised by Kate Rogers and is open to all club members. Ten TACs – four juniors and six seniors - were among nearly a hundred starters at Armada Athletic Network's 5k race, set on an undulating course in Saltram Park. One athlete said 'the only way to do well in a 5k race is to start off fast and keep it going', and this is exactly what TAC's Sam Lane De Courtin did — powering round the course to win the event in a fast 16 minutes 40 seconds. Sam shows huge commitment to his running. as does Carrie Lawson, his coach at the club. William Dix, also a junior, was second club runner home in 20.11, in 24th place overall. Hot on his heels was 19-year-old Alice Rogers, second lady to the finish, in a fast 20.23. Rebecca Exley-Deane, running in a pair of borrowed and over-sized men's trainers, was rightly pleased with her finish time of 22.21. Junior member Tilly McDowd was less than a minute behind her, in 23.07. Tony Shearer finished in 23.35 and Graham De Val, returning from injury, in 24.31. Jessica Williams was running her first 5k race for the club and finished in a creditable 26.05, junior Jennifer Sabine in 27.01 and Kate Rogers in 28.15. This was an excellent start to what promises to be a closely contested race series.