A NUMBER of the region’s athletes impressed at the Torbay 10k and Torbay Half Marathon events on Sunday.

In the 10k, Erme Valley Harriers teenager Luke Hayes, an under-17 athlete, finished third overall and first under-20 in a quick time of 33 minutes and 27 seconds.

He was only beaten by winner Tom Merson, who won in 32.08 minutes, and Jamie Pullinger, who took second place in 33.08 minutes.

City of Plymouth’s Matthew Bradley was eighth overall in 34.18 minutes, while Benjamin Marriott was third under-20 in 35.15 minutes.

Nikki Kelly was first woman home in a chip time of 36.49 minutes, with Erme Valley Harriers’ Sally Erith third woman overall and first F40 in a chip time of 39.56 minutes.

Erme Valley’s Andrea Mitchell was first F55, with Plymouth Musketeers’ Dawn Dyer first F65 and her club colleague Anita Chambers was second F60.

Tamar Trotters’ Simon Yeo was first M40, with Erme Valley’s Tom Davies third.

Plymouth Harriers’ Raymond Tew took victory in the M50 age group, while Erme Valley’s Andrew Mitchell was third in that category.

Fellow Erme Valley athlete Stuart Witty was first M55 and Plymouth Harriers’ Andrew Charles was second M60.

In the half marathon event, Tom Wraight came second overall in 1:14.28 behind winner Shaun Dixon.

There were also top 10 finishes for Tamar Trotters’ Luke Attwood (1:17.07) and Erme Valley’s Simon Fitze (1:17.36), who was first M45.

City of Plymouth’s Jane Ling was first F45, while Erme Valley’s Jennifer Hayes claimed the F50 top prize, while her team-mate Lynne Whitfield was second F55.

Meanwhile, City of Plymouth’s Great Britain international Poppy Tank made her half marathon debut the week before at the RunThrough Cheshire Half Marathon, claiming an impressive victory in a new record time of 1:13.29.

At Saturday’s Tavy 5, youngster Thomas Hennessey finished strongly to edge out the experienced Ben Neale for victory.

Under-15 athlete Hennessey clocked 16.43 minutes, with Neale (M40) second in 16.49 and Ollie Wall third in 17.32 minutes.