ATHLETES from Tavistock Athletic Club were out representing their club at three races in the south west on the same day.

David Twine was the lone TAC competitor in a field of more than 11,000 others in the Bath Half Marathon. David ran an excellent race, to finish within the top 7% of competitors on the day, in 1hour, 33minutes, 5seconds. This was not only a Personal Best (P.B.) time for David but also gained him a club ruby award for his age/time.

In Cornwall, Roger Hewitt was also the only club entrant in the Duchy 20-miler. Roger ran strongly to finish the distance in just under three hours, in 2.58.52.

At Bideford, 13 TACs turned out on a chilly and blustery morning to run the Bideford Half Marathon. This was the third race in the newly revamped club Grand Prix and is being keenly contested.

Star of the day was Jim Cole. Jim battled with Shaun Antell throughout, but finally timed his move to overhaul the local man in the closing stages of the race, to cross the finish line as overall winner by 10 seconds in a blistering time of 1.08.56, giving him an average 5.25mins/mile pace. Not only was this outstanding time a PB for Jim, it also establishes a new club senior male record for the distance, by some 36 seconds.

Christine Le Flem ran another excellent race, gaining a diamond award and winning her F65 age group.

Wally Lake and Andy Houghton both achieved ruby awards, Wally winning his age group and Andy coming second in his and also creating a new MV65+ records.

Pete Bazley, Paul Marshall and Rhian Johnson all gained platinum awards, Rhian running a P.B. and finishing second in her age.

New club member Jason Shipton was second TAC to the finish. He, along with Graham De Val, Tony Shearer, Jackie Ralph and Ann Woodhouse all achieved gold award times, while John Windemer recorded his third straight silver award time this year.