TAMAR Trotters’ Jacob Landers retained the Tavy 7 title in windy conditions on Dartmoor on Sunday morning.
Landers held off the challenge of Jordan Andrews, Ben Neale and Jim Cole to reclaim the men’s crown.
The Tamar Trotter made light of the strong head wind over the final couple of miles to win in 37 minutes and 28 seconds, which was 17 seconds quicker than he had run 12 months earlier.
Tavistock Run Project’s Andrews, winner in 2017 and 2018, came second in 38.08 minutes, which was faster than his previous title-winning runs.
Tavistock AC’s Ben Neale, who was runner-up last year and in 2015 and 2016, had to settle for third place this year in 38.37 minutes, while Run Project’s Jim Cole, another former winner, came fourth and first M40 in 39.15 minutes.
Fifth place – and the only other runner to go under the 40-minute mark for the tough course – went to Tavistock AC’s Sam Larkham in 39.25 minutes.
Host club Tavistock AC comfortably won the men’s race team prize and the Devon County AA Ross Shield.
Tavistock’s women were not to be out done and they also easily won the two team prizes with three athletes in the top five.
Nikki Kelly, runner-up last year, was a dominant winner in the women’s race, finishing in 43.51 minutes.
Second woman, and first F40, was South West Road Runners’ Victoria Hill, who clocked 45.49 minutes. She was closely followed home by fellow F40 athlete Sam Lake of Tavistock, who ran 45.54 minutes.
Emma Ryder, also from the host club and better known for her 800m running on the track, was fourth in 46.37, with Storm Plymouth’s Lauren Knox fifth in 48.18 minutes.
Erme Valley Harriers’ Nick Bristow and David Rayfield claimed the top prizes in the M50 and M55 categories, respectively, while Plymouth Coasters’ Michael Cork was first M65.
Tavistock’s Helen Orme was first F45, with Plymstock Road Runners’ Rachael Doonan winning the F50 category, Tavistock’s Caroline Stevens the F55 age group and Tamar Trotters’ Jane Bremner was first F65.
The scenic race, which starts and finishes at Plaster Down on Dartmoor, saw 444 finishers.
Full results can be found HERE.
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