TAVISTOCK was a hub of activity on Sunday morning as the town welcomed the return of the Dartmoor Marathon after an absence of 40 years.
Hundreds of runners took part in the event, which started and finished near the Bedford Hotel on Plymouth Road.
The course took competitors out of the town and up on to Whitchurch Common before they headed to Princetown, then around Burrator Reservoir before heading back through the villages of Dousland, Walkampton and Horrabridge.
Bicester’s M50 athlete Richard Gould, who had received an entry to the race as a Christmas present, won the race in two hours, 56 minutes and 11 seconds.
Second home was Simon Middleton, who finished in 2:58.59, with M45 runner Robert Kelly third in 3:00.23.
Chris Turner was fourth in 3:02.09, with Tavistock AC’s Thomas Brogden fifth in 3:04.17.
Okehampton athlete Jo Page (F40) won the women’s title. She came home in an impressive time of 3:11.12.
Second was Lila North in 3:37.40, with Mia Flanagan third in 3:39.27 and Kristyna Cade and Steph Cade came fourth and fifth in 3:39.51. Erme Valley Harriers’ Emma Lake was first F50.
Runners were treated to a heavy shower just before the start, but conditions improved for the tough race around Dartmoor’s hilly roads.
Some 532 athletes had entered but only 328 did complete the race.
Full results can be found HERE
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