MEMBERS of Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) took part in both the Imerys full and half marathon last weekend in St Austell. The Imerys Trail Marathon offers a unique experience to runners. For one day only, the land of Cornwall's China Clay industry is open to the public and the operational working sites, along with land which has been regenerated from the industrial past, provides a challenging and spectacular course. With only short sections of road, this multi-terrain route takes runners on sand roads which will leave them thinking they have been on the moon! The course also offers stunning vistas of Cornwall's countryside and coastline at its very best.  Along with the bumpy tracks, multitude of steep hills and open white clay paths the heat of the sun made the event hard for all 284 taking part on a course which offered no shade.  The split between the two distances was 110 for the marathon and 174 for the half.   Nine Bats took part in the half marathon with Philip King making his distance debut and finishing in a great time.  Mike Smith was the first man home with Pam Adams, in her 30th half marathon, and Heather Smith running together to be the first ladies home.   For the marathon, Murray Turner was the first Bat home with Rachel Wood and Dotty King being the first ladies.  Rachel and Fran Morgan were making their marathon debut.   Bats will next be flying at this week's Muskie Madness which is a club grand prix event.

FOR one day only the land of Cornwall's China Clay industry was open to the public. This is when the Imerys Marathon takes place giving competitors a unique experience on a course which is both spectacular and challenging. The six members from Okehampton Running Club produced some great results winning the team prize and taking no less than four of the top 13 places. Special congratulations go to Sarah Haigh who was taking part in her first ever marathon. Rob Hicks, who only decided to enter on the day, led the ORCs home finishing in seventh place in 3 hours 34 minutes 36 seconds. Rob Kelly was 10th in 3.38.53, Paul Carter 11th in 3.40.06 and Roger Voaden 13th 3.45.42. Nick Seccombe completed in 3.57.25 and Sarah Haigh in 5.30.49. Meanwhile, on the same hot and sunny day another hilly off-roader — the Credition Crunch – was taking place with a further eight ORCs members among 250 runners. Mary Moore was the first from ORC to finish in 55.36 followed by Charlotte Radnor in 57.00. The rest of the club members finished close together with Cathy Carey and Jo Camies in 1.04.17, Ali Holliday 1.04.25, Carole Cornwall 1.04.30, Lauren Ausden 1.06.32 and Amy Chapman 1.09.31.