THE sun always seems to shine on Tavistock's very own half marathon the Tavy 13. Sunday was no exception as more than 300 runners conquered the scenic, but challenging course.

This race is now a major event on the South West athletics scene and this year Tavistock Athletic Club is one of a series of clubs hosting the Devon County Championships. The event raises much needed funds for the athletics track at Tavistock College.

Fully integrated into the event is The Primary Challenge, this year sponsored by Western Power and Distribution. This fantastic event brings athletics to pupils in the district's primary schools and this year saw a record entry of over more than 200 primary children.

The event also includes a 2.5 mile Fun Run which brought even more youth participation. In all about 550 runners of all ages took part.

The Tavy 13 is a tough run containing a long hill after Mill Hill. The winning time of 1hrs 14 minutes 47 secs by David Tomlin of Tamar Trotters was creditable for the conditions but the course record of 1 hr 11 min from Tavistock's Pete Freedman holds for another year. The first lady home, Janie Chapman in a time of 1.26.54, came all the way from Bournemouth Athletics Club.

Organisers are grateful to sponsors Western Power and Distribution, The Bedford Hotel, Tavyside Surgery, Active Co, Mansbridge and Balment, HSBC and Lamerton Physiotherapy Clinic.

Also to many other local organisations, Rob and Eunice Moule of RM Builders, Lewdown Scaffolding, Tavistock Radio Club, the Lions Club of Tavistock and John Collacott.

There were race marshals from the Lions Club, the Rotary Club the Round Table and WI, the scouts, the ATC and Tavistock Youth Café manned many water stations while '3's a Crowd' motivated the runners with their music out on the course.

Jeff Lea for Tavistock Athletic Club added the club thanked the many volunteers from friends and families to make it a true community effort. Also to the contribution of Devon County Council and Tavistock Town Council and Full On Sport, Tavistock College and in particular Barry Mount-Stevens and the Sports Centre team .

n TAKING part in Sunday's half marathon were nine members of Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats).

The course started at Tavistock College, wound its way along Crease Lane before climbing up Mill Hill and around the club's home turf of Mile Level before returning for a fast finish along Crowndale and a lap of the track.

Making her debut for the club was Eleanor Butland; achieving a course personal best was Murray Turner who ran six minutes quicker, Ralph Elmes who was also first in his age group and Laurence Sargeant who was second in his age group. 

Rachel Wood also ran a great race and achieved a distance personal best.  Also, a big well done to Pam, Dave, Julian and Paul on their times.