THE hugely popular Tavistock Carnival relay race, which has run for 30 years and is organised by Tavistock Athletic Club, was one of the sporting highlights of the carnival week.

The relay races attract clubs from all over the area, with teams travelling from as far as Bodmin and Bude. The 1.1 mile course is held in Tavistock Meadows on the Thursday evening of the carnival week; 2016 will go down as one of the most memorable ever.

Race sponsor Alistair Kinsey said: ‘We introduced electronic chip timing for the first time. We used a unique idea of attaching the chip to the batten and it worked perfectly. The race itself was a huge success with 70 senior teams, 24 junior teams and 67 fun runners taking part.

‘We should be able to exceed last year’s donation of £1,200 to the Lions. Not only did we have fantastic support from the teams and spectators, but we saw probably the fastest lap of the course we’ll ever see.

‘Adam Peacock running for the winning team GTR racing ran the fourth and last leg. He ran 4min 39secs for the 1.1 mile course, which is equivalent to 4.13 mile pace. Since the course has at least four tight turns and a hill in it, it was an incredible performance.’

Martin Exley-Deane, race director, also declared his delight at the evening’s running. He said: ‘We had so many new teams here of all sorts of abilities. It really was a fun night for all that took part. Another roaring success.’

Main results were:

Senior men’s teams

1 GTR 19.49; 2 East Cornwall Harriers 21.20; 3 Okehampton Running Club 21.38.

Senior Women

1 Tavistock AC 26.27; 2 Plymouth Harriers 27.18; 3 East Cornwall 28.04.

Vet Men

1(and also 5th overall) Okehampton RC 22.03; 2 East Cornwall 23.03; 3 City of Plymouth 23.14.

Vet Womens 1st, East Cornwall 27.25; 2nd Bodmin Road Runners 29.13; 3rd Tavistock AC 29.35.

Junior races: Tavistock AC had the first three teams across the line. Year 5/6 Boys 1 Tavistock AC 29.03; 2 St.Peters 31.37; 3 Tavistock AC 31.45. Year 5/6 Girls, 1 Tavistock Swimming Club 31.27; 2 Tavistock AC 31.43; 3 Tamar Trotters 31.53.

Year 7/8 Boys, 1 Tavistock AC 25.26; 2 Tavistock AC 26.12; 3 East Cornwall 28.08. Year 7/8 Girls 1 Tavistock AC 28.46; 2 East Cornwall 30.49; 3 Miles Better 33.24.

Year 9/10 Boys 1 Tamar Trotters 32.06. Year 11/12 Girls 1 Tavistock AC 27.03; 2 City of Plymouth 27.38; 3 Tavistock Swimming Club 28.55.

All results, including individual leg times can be found at www.tavistockathletics.co.uk/events.

Pictures by James Bird. For more see page 40 July 21 edition of the Times.