MEMBERS of Tavistock Athletic Club do not usually compete in Oh My Obelisk!, but last weekend saw three club members competing in the multi-terrain, '10 Country Miles' – actually 11 mile – race, organised by Dawlish Coasters Running Club.

The race gets it's unusual name from the obelisk monument in Haldon Forest, at the highest point of the South Devon course.

The runners started in a chilly wind coming off the sea and Becky Mingo, who would be second club member to the finish, described the race as ' very hard from the start, with some zig-zagging around fields, then pretty much straight up to the obelisk through lanes, fields and woods, to be rewarded by fantastic views from the top.'

First club runner back was Adam Holland, in sixth place overall and just over three minutes behind the winner, in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 27 seconds. Becky was the sixth lady to finish, in a fine time of 1.28.06. Pete Bazley was the only TAC to have run the course before, and he knocked nearly two minutes off his 2007 time for the race, finishing in 1.31.47 – an excellent effort!

Adam, Becky and Pete are all fast, but the club welcomes runners of all speeds. For details go to the website at Tavistockathletics.com or telephone 01822 612577 for more details.