THE Thursday of Tavistock Carnival Week saw the return of the Town Relays to The Meadows, organised by Tavistock Athletic Club. 33 teams contesting the senior relay, with the furthest travelling from Exmouth, and 24 the junior. Each member of the four person team runs the 1.1 mile route down one bank of the river and up the other between Westbridge and Abbey Bridge. The event was sponsored by Abbey Garden Machinery.

In warm sunshine, the senior relay produced an exciting finish with Tavistock Athletic Club's A Team of Jim Cole, Richard Drage, Adam Tofield and Adam Holland holding off a scratch team containing two of the best runners in Devon to win by one second in 20 mins. 50 secs. Third were East Cornwall Harriers' A team in 21.13.

The male veteran (over 40s) category was won by Okehampton Running Club (Paul Crease, Roger Voaden, Bryan Friend and Gavin Punchard) in a time of 22.51, a scratch team second and Tavistock AC's team (Chris Champion, Bob Chapman, Caroline Stevens and Charlie Lloyd) third in 24.45. East Cornwall Harriers dominated the ladies categories again with their A team of Sharon Daw, Claire Davidson, Lydia Collins and Revis Crowle winning the senior ladies in 26.20, and their B team of Karen Mahoney, Tess Mason and Louise England winning the veteran ladies in 29.24. Only one team competed in the Corporate Challenge so the Evening Herald Harriers duly won in 29.24. First in the relay fun ran was George Bumford, second Jovien Bassenenge and third Nathan Pollard.

The junior relays were a triumph for TAC whose teams won four of the six categories contested. Outstanding were the team of Year 9/10 boys, Harrison Baker, Jordan Channon, James Best and Sam Lane de Courtin, who won in 22.31. Sam produced the best time of 5 mins 7 secs. Other winning junior teams were the Year 5/6 boys team (Joe O'Loughlin, Billy Matthews, George Bumford and Harry Herdman), the Year 5/6 girls (Olivia Kinnear, Freya Hopkins, Izzy Hillier and Jenny Milburn) and the 7/8 girls (Abbie Ingram, Jade Kinsey, Jodie Stacey and Jess Kent-Woolsey).

The event saw £400 handed over to the Lions for their carnival charities. The club thank all who took part, Meadowlands Pool, Michelle for allowing the cafeteria as Race HQ, and Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council.