MEMBERS of Tavistock Athletic Club have competed in three 5k races recently.

The first race over the distance was at Exeter, a flat and fast run along the west bank of the River Exe. This outing formed part of the club's Grand Prix challenge and attracted 12 club athletes.

Tony Symons was first club runner home, winning his age category and also running a season's best over the distance.

Under-20 Alice Rogers was less than half a minute behind Tony, winning her age group and gaining a personal best by some 32 seconds.

Jason Shipton, Graham De Val and John Windemer all ran PBs, while Trevor Williams, Christine Le Flem and Sheila Houghton all won their respective age categories.

Four days later, Kate Rogers and Sheila Houghton competed in another 5k race at Siblyback Lake, finishing in 26 minutes 20 seconds and 27.38 respectively.

Just over a week after the Exeter race, 12 club runners, including three juniors, competed in the final round of the summer 5k series at Saltram, Plymouth.

U17 William Dax and U15 Josh Blake were the first two TACs to the finish in eighth and twelfth places respectively.

Jason Shipton was third club runner to the finish. His son Charlie came home less than two minutes behind and gained a PB. Paul Waldron and Graham De Val finished within 90 seconds of each other, in 22.24 and 23.42 respectively.

For the women, Jenny Mashford, running her first race for the club finished in under 30 minutes, as did Kate Rogers, Sheila Houghton, Caron De Val and Sue Rowe, who ran a PB.

Club newcomer Rachel Waldron crossed the finish line a couple of minutes later.