IT was a mixed bag of club members from Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats), Tavistock Athletics, Saturday Ladies, Monday Men and a Hash runner that made their way to Totnes for the annual 10k multi-terrain race last weekend.

The race started and finished at the Totnes leisure centre and after a normal start around the sports field the race headed straight onto twisting and turning tracks beside the river.

The first mile was fairly flat and quite quick despite sections of narrow twisting path but after that it was not so flat; the paths climbed steeply up the side of the river valley only to plunge rapidly back down near-vertical sloops towards the river. Some of the uphills were so steep there were steps and hurtling flat-out down a narrow footpath towards a deep river while avoiding tree roots can focus the mind.

Making his race debut was Mike Chipperfield who ran a great first race for the Bats.  First man home for the group and third overall was Adam Holland and first lady home and fifth lady overall was Becky Mingo. 

Derek Hicks achieved a course personal best and Dotty Allan achieved a course personal best of eight minutes.  Other great times were achieved by Hannah Colston, Heather Smith, Vicki Lloyd and Mike Smith.  

The group are pictured (left to right, back row): Mike Smith 1hr.00.51secs, Adam Holland 36.43, Dotty Allan 55.56 (CPB), Mike Chipperfield 01.02.20, Trevor Williams 00.54.37, (middle row) Paul Mingo 01.08.02, Heather Smith 01.11.41, Sue Collins 01.06.50, Pete Bazley 00.45.57, Becky Mingo 00.46.04, Vicki Lloyd 57.03, Hannah Colston 55.54, Ann Woodhouse 01.13.48, (front row) Derek Hicks 51.30 (CPB).