CITY of Plymouth international Poppy Tank stormed to victory in a course record time at the Battersea Park 10k at the weekend.
Tank, who last month competed for Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships in Florida, ran a personal best time of 32.10 minutes (32.09 chip time) to claim the win in a high-class field by 23 seconds.
That time ranks her in the UK’s top 10 this year for the distance, with all the rest achieving their times at the super-fast Valencia 10k.
It also broke the previous course record for a woman by 19 seconds.
Tank achieved the feat while in the middle of a big training block for a half marathon.
Meanwhile at the re-arranged First Chance 10k at Exeter, Tamar Trotters’ Bex Ezra-Ham and Storm Plymouth’s Laura Knox claimed the top two placings in the women’s race.
Ezra-Ham took the title in 36.09 minutes, with Knox second in 36.59 minutes (chip time 36.56).
Tavistock AC’s Ben Neale was fifth overall in the men’s race and second M40 in 32.47 minutes (chip time 32.46).
Erme Valley Harriers’ Emma Lake was 12th woman overall and first F50, while team-mate Nick Bristow was second M50.
There were also third place age category finishes for Erme Valley’s Helen Chapell (F55), Plymouth Harriers’ Chris Puertas (M60) and Tavistock AC’s Anthony Shearer (M70).
On the track, former Erme Valley Harriers’ international Will Battershill made his return to action at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Sunday.
The steeplechase star took part in the men’s 3,000m flat and finished ninth in 7:57.67.
City of Plymouth’s Emily Bee competed in the women’s 60m hurdles, where she ran 8.77 seconds in her heat as she just missed out on a semi-final spot.