BERE Alston Trekkers (BATs) headed in two directions this weekend. Twelve travelled west to Porthpean in Cornwall for the Roseland August Trail (RAT) Trail Running Festival and one northwest to Dublin for the Rock ‘n’ Roll events.

Organised by MudCrew, The RAT – Roseland August Trail Race Series – is a series of challenging coastal runs along the stunning South Cornwall Coastal Path. It incorporates four different routes, the Black Route 32 miles, the Red Route 20 miles, the White Route 11 miles and the Plague (green) 100k — 64 miles. All these routes follow the same part of coastline, with runners from different routes joining each other at different points along the way. It is not for the faint hearted! The BOYD, a 24 hour endurance event, was run over a 2.5 mile stretch of coast path. The Mudcrew’s RAT is much more than just a race. While they are passionate about running but amongst the mud, sweat and tears of the race they also advocate having a good time, meeting fellow running enthusiasts. At the RAT race village, there was an afternoon and evening of entertainment.

BATs were represented in four of the five events. Murray Turner and Dave Dencer took part in the Plague – the 64 mile ultra marathon which was an out and back course from Porthpean to St Anthony’s Head and back, starting at five past midnight. Lisa Birch and Julie Page took part in the Black RAT – the 32 mile ultra marathon where entrants are bused out to St Anthony’s Head to run back to Porthpean, Sam and Quinton Harte-Latremouille, Martin and Hilary Head, Derek Hicks and Fran Morgan took part in the Red RAT, a 20 mile run from Portloe to Porthpean while Mel Greaves and Paul Ashton ran the White RAT, 11 miles from Goran Haven to Porthpean.

Murray and Dave were buffeted by storm force winds as they battled towards the turnaround point at St Anthony’s Head. Unfortunately neither made it that far as both were forced to retire, Murray with medical issues after 28miles and Dave with injury after 22miles. Lisa and Julie completed the Black RAT in 8 hours 21 minutes 50 seconds, Martin led the Red RATs home in 4.32.11 followed by Derek 6.01.37, Sam and Quintin 6.28.10, Fran 6.58.39 and Hilary 7.06.02, Paul and Mel both finished the White RAT in times of 2.08.25 and 3.09.04 respectively.

BAT’s chair Martin Head said that all of the BATs dug deep and whilst for some the outcome wasn’t what they had planned and trained for, they gave the best they could on the day and should feel proud of what they achieved in what were difficult weather conditions over a tough stretch of coastline.

Andy Cowden journeyed to Dublin for the Dublin edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll series of events and the seventh of the Dublin event.

This included a 5k on the Saturday which was run entirely within Phoenix Park (the largest walled park in Europe) in which Andy finished in a time of 24 minutes 14 seconds. On Sunday the half marathon started in the centre of Dublin and running out to Phoenix Park with the second half of the race also within the park. Andy finished in a time of 1 hour 56 minutes 01 seconds. Fortunately for the Rock ‘n’ Rollers, the forecast rain held off for the duration of the race, and for the free concert afterwards.