The TAVY 7

. . . is back on Sunday 23 October 2011

HOME

FUN RUN

MARTIN GIBBS

2011 RESULTS

2011 PRIZES

2009 RESULTS

CONTACT

TAVISTOCK AC

Our sponsors . . .

THE STORY, AND SOME PICTURES, OF THE 2011 TAVY 7

The relaunched and relocated TAVY 7 attracted over 400 entrants from all parts of the country. After an enforced absence in 2010 we started and finished the race at a brand new venue on the edge of Plaster Down.

The first and last 150 metres were set in a farmer's field but the picturesque setting avoided the road congestion experienced on the old course.

At 1200 precisely eager runners lined up and awaited the horn, the race being started by Holly, daughter of Martin Gibbs in whose memory the race was being staged.

Jim Cole set off eagerly and burst straight to the front, a position he was set to maintain right to the finish.

The grassy start and the next mile over Plaster Down meant that the new course began with a flatter stretch out to Warren's Cross. The first 3 miles or so of the old course did take runners up a steady incline: feedback already suggests that, although we have lost that fast downhill climax to the race, this is a much better start.

Most Devon & Cornwall clubs were represented in this Tavy 7 with other runners coming from as far afield as Middlesborough and Shropshire.

As ever, Tamar Trotters provided the biggest contingent with 25 runners signed up. Plymouth Harriers, Plymstock Road Runners, Launceston Road Runners, Okehampton Running Club, Hayle Runners, East Cornwall Harriers and host club Tavistock AC all had double figure teams on show.

53% of the field were from UK:A affiliated clubs and 14% (59 people) were Tavistock residents.

And while we are looking at statistics, 58% of the runners were male.

The largest age/gender category was the senior men with 17% of the field. Male 45 category took 11% of the places with Female 45 close behind with 10%.

46% of the entrants made a donation to St Lukes and the total amount collected from the senior runners added up to £1,041. We are still counting other money donated on the day but we are delighted with the generosity shown by all those who have contributed.

Thank you.

Sporting Race Number 1 was Usain Bear, the St Lukes Hospice special guest. He made off at the start as if he was going to do the full 7 miles but, as you can see, he hadn't even made it to the end of the field before he found himself at the back.

Word is that, like his famous namesake, he could only manage 200 metres and he had to lie down for a breather!

So, off they went to tackle the magnificent course that is the Tavy 7. First mile over Plaster Down then out on the road to Sampford Spiney, past Pew Tor. Heading south from there they take a sharp right at Huckworthy Cross before encountering the sharp downhill then steady rise back up to the open moor. With the hard work over they have 2 miles to go, past the second water station and then retracing their steps over Plaster Down.

This year's was a fantastic collaboration between Tavistock Athletic Club, main sponsors Mansbridge & Balment, Fun Run sponsors Taylor Wimpey and charity beneficiaries St Lukes Hospice.

There was a real team effort before and during the event and we also received fabulous support from Tavistock Lions who took control of the car parking arrangements and gamely spent 3 hours battling against the elements trying to erect the 3 marquees we had planned to install for your comfort and convenience.

Unfortunately, we were defeated by the weather in this respect and we apologise for not being able to provide the changing areas and having to do registration out in the breezy elements!

So, while the adults were out to play on the 7 miler, our fun runners gathered for their testing 1.5 mile off road affair.

Fair enough to say that we were disappointed that only 64 signed up for this part of the event. We had done a fair bit of promotion and we did expect over 200 to turn out. Whether the half term holiday had an effect or we were too far out of town we don't know.

Certainly, those who did make it seemed to enjoy the run. Starting and finishing at the same point as the main race the runners headed out of the field before turning sharply onto he section of privately owned moorland which we also used for our car parking.

All smiles and posing for the camera at the start but would they still be smiling when they returned a little later on?

Now, take a look beyond the runners and soak up that fabulous view across the Walkham Valley. A little shrouded in cloud but there is no doubt that this provided a wonderful backdrop to this event and is not to be missed.

You will notice that Usain Bear was nowhere to be seen at this point. The unofficial plan had been that, for one day only, he was to be the quarry that our fun runners would chase in an attempt to establish who the true number 1 is!

We later discovered that while the fun runners were setting off, Usain had secreted himself behind the Mansbridge & Balment Camper Van HQ and was gorging himself on home made cakes and bacon rolls! Some athlete!

Off they go through the grassy paths between the bracken. The course zig-zagged across the section of moorland before looping back into the field.

And, eagerly awaiting their return were our team of intrepid timing officials. On their best behavior of course as they were being closely monitored by Race Referee Richard Warne (on the left hand side of the Brooks arch).

And, who should make a surprise appearance but Usain Bear, sporting a Fun Run medal around his ear. Strangely, no-one ever saw him out on the course but somehow he managed to bag himself a trophy and he just wouldn't stop talking about how easy it all was!

However, he was certainly inspired by all of this and has entered the Grizzly in 2012!

For your efforts you received this memento from the Fun Run as well as a goody bag packed with more healthy foodstuff than Usain has been used to!

A big thank you must go to Tony Symons, club member but, more importantly, man of influence at Premier Foods. Several hundred Ambrosia flavoured custard pots found their way into the goody bags to the delight of all our runners who crossed the finish line.

There is no doubt that Mansbridge & Balment are a wonderful sponsor. They not only support Tavistock Athletic Club though our Tavy 7 and Tavy 13 races but other sports organisations in the area have also benefited from their generosity.

David Balment (who entered, started but never quite finished the race) backed the club for many, many years and it was Martin Gibbs who took over the reins more recently until his tragic death earlier this year. Martin took the company's support on to a new level and we will be forever in his debt.

And now, Nick Henderson and Andrew Kirby have picked up where Martin left off and have been such fabulous people to work with.

Thank you M&B.

So, back to the main race. As we might have predicted, local boy Jim Cole stormed home to a fabulous finish. His time of 37:16 is, naturally, a new course record (it has to be as this is a new course). Windy conditions coming back over Plaster Down for the last mile must have played a part but by any stretch of he imagination this is an awesome feat by Jim.

He is really hot stuff at the moment having twice broken the club half marathon record earlier this year.

A couple of minutes behind was another local hero, Adam Holland. Marathon Man Adam as he is affectionately known chose the more sedate 7 miler this weekend but showed his class with a real storming finish for 2nd place.

First lady home, and in 11th place overall, was Ellie Sutcliffe from Exmouth Harriers. Taking the plaudits here she blistered through the finish line in an excellent 45:49, establishing for herself the new female course record.

Finally, a great big thank you must go to the team from Brooks. Martin, who was away on business that day, did his usual excellent behind the scenes work which saw Andy drive all the way down from Sussex for the weekend in order to decorate the course with banners, flags, road and course signage as well as the race arch which stood up gamely despite the wind.