Tavistock Athletic Club enjoyed a fantastic day in this, the last in the annual series of three races hosted by Bideford Athletic Club.

Following the half marathon and 10k earlier in the year, Sunday’s race was over a fairly flat 10 mile course, which took runners out of the town and along the beautiful Instow Beach, before heading back along the Tarka Trail.

On a crisp, clear morning, TAC athletes made sure they took the opportunity for a good time, with some superb results.

Sam Lake took the honour of third female, with a brilliant time of 1.05.26, which knocked over 10 minutes off the TAC FV35 category club record.

Jason Shipton came in next for the club, in a time of 1.08.38, a PB for him. Tracey Oxborough took first place in the FV50 category, and in doing so knocked a huge 14 minutes off the FV50 TAC record, with a finishing time of 1.12.54.

Pete Blazey was awarded second place in the MV60 age category, with a time of 1.11.03.

David Twine was hot on his heels, taking third place in the same category, finishing in 1.11.22. Kate Rogers scooped second place in the FV55 category, improving on her own club record, with a time of 1.25.00. Catherine Dunlop finished in 1.16.39, a new TAC age-group FV45 record by three minutes.

They were followed by a number of club athletes, some very experienced, some very new to running, all of who produced either PBs or good runs. Anthony Shearer (1.20.02), Gary Chater (1.20.55), Will Walker-Smith (1.22.42), Laura Langsford (1.24.10), Paul Marshall (1.26.50), Yurin Potts (1.30.00) Victoria Haye (1.35.14), Sheila Houghton (1.35.58), John Windemer (1.36.21), Maarit Green (1.38.59), Richard Nettleship (1.39.47), Ian Jones (1:39:49), Dene Medland (1:39:50), Danielle James (1.41.37), Kerry Pearce (1.42.27), Sarah Prior (1.46.37), Brigid Campbell (1.46.37) Emma Craig (1.50.35) and Sarah Wright (1.51.11).

All agreed that the feeling of camaraderie, the sense of achievement, and support for each other at the end of the race, more than made up for any ‘hurt’ in getting round, and was a huge testament to the team, coaches and club.