THE Tavy 7 was held on Sunday and more than 300 runners turned out for this popular annual event.

The field included a mix of local runners and club runners from clubs across the South West. The race was organised by Tavistock Athletic Club who decided to go ahead with the event despite the absence of a base for the race organisation.

The event is normally staged using Wayfarers Cricket Club, but with the old pavilion having been pulled down, tents, marquees and generators became the order of the day.

This year's race was given a more significant profile having attracted sponsorship from Tavistock Decorating Supplies which enabled the organisers to present T-shirts to all finishers.

The race got underway at midday with the runners heading out from the start at the top of Church Hill on Whitchurch Down running out to Sampford Spiney. The pleasant morning weather broke just before the start and the runners were subjected to a typical Dartmoor shower, but otherwise conditions were good.

The field of runners stretched out across the moor with the front runners running at a sub 5.5 minutes per mile pace.

Alistair Bristow, of Erme Valley Harriers, took the lead and created a significant gap at the front of the field.

On the return leg he was able to consolidate his position and came home winning the race in a time of 37 mins 52secs.

Robert Parsons from East Cornwall Harriers was the next runner to finish in a time of 38mins 20secs followed by Steve Payne from Plymouth Harriers in 38mins 34secs.

Revis Crowle from East Cornwall Harriers held off unattached runner Kate Rice in an exciting finish to win the ladies' race in a time of 46mins 30secs.

Jacky Tyler, also from East Cornwall Harriers, was the third lady finisher in a time of 46mins 56secs.

Bideford runner Simon Edney was the first male vet to finish with Nadia Crowther from Tamar Trotters finishing as the first vet lady.

Plymouth Harriers won the men's team event with Newquay road runners in second place.

The ladies' team prize was won by East Cornwall Harriers.

Mike Tomes was the first Tavistock Club runner to finish recording an excellent personal best time of 42mins 42secs finishing in 15th place.

Local runner Chris Corden also had a good race finishing in 52nd place in a time of 47mins 48secs.

Tavistock club member Tim Powell finished in 143rd place in a time of 53mins 38secs followed by fellow club member Roger Hewitt in 157th place in a time of 54 mins 48secs.

Nigel Rendle making his debut appearance for the Tavistock club finished in 182nd place in a time of 56mins 38secs with Karen Ballentyne the only lady Tavistock club runner finishing in 192nd place in a time of 58mins 19secs.