TAVISTOCK AC’s Adam Holland claimed victory in the annual Cockington Christmas Caper race at the weekend.
Holland held off the challenge of North Derbyshire’s Martin Dawson on the seven-and-a-half mile hilly off-road run around Cockington Country Park in Torquay.
In wet and muddy conditions, Holland won in 52.19 minutes, with Dawson, who was first over-40, finishing in 52.30.
Third athlete home was Torbay Tri Club’s Lee Turner in 54.51, with Teignbridge’s Tim Pratt fourth and Plymstock Road Runners’ Graham Bale fifth and first over-50.
Torbay Tri Club’s Naomi Flanagan was first women, finishing in 1:02.31, with Plymouth’s Carla Haines taking second in 1:04.04 and Hannah Karas third. Erme Valley Harriers’ Emma Lake was fourth women and first over-40.
Meanwhile, a number of the region’s athletes headed to the prestigious Telford 10k, which attracts many of the country’s top distance runners.
The race saw 17 men run under-30 minutes, included Devon’s Shaun Antell who came fourth, and 47 go under 31 minutes, while 57 women went under 40 minutes.
Tavistock Run Project’s Jim Cole ran his fastest 10k since 2011, clocking 31.29 minutes to finish 75th.
His club colleague Jordan Andrews ran 32.54 minutes to finish 138, with fellow Run Project athlete Ben Neale 10 places behind in 33.11 minutes.
Plymouth Harriers’ Alex Peyton-Jones set a new PB of 35.40 minutes, while team-mate Ami Yetton ran 39.32 minutes to finish 51st women and take fifth in the over-35 category. Run Project’s Rachael Malthouse was 63rd women in 40.43.
Meanwhile, December’s Armada Winter 3k Series run takes place on Wednesday night at Central Park (7pm).
Registration will take place inside the Life Centre and runners are asked to wear something festive. All finishers will receive a mince pie.