WITH the New Year comes new challenges and the first of those for members of the Bere Alston Trekkers was the Brown Willy, an annual New Year’s Day adventure to the top of the highest point on Bodmin Moor and indeed in Cornwall as a whole.

Organised by Truro Running Club and starting and finishing at Jamaica Inn, this well signed, informal run of approximately seven miles runners out on to mostly open moorland, which at this time of year is guaranteed to be wet, slippery, and steep in places.

This year the weather stayed dry and clear enough to enable runners to see the summit, although conditions underfoot were characteristically muddy, and the event was well supported with 398 runners taking part, generously supporting the Cornwall Search and Rescue Group, along with other local charities.

A number of BATs ran this year and enjoyed the hospitality of the inn on their return, and a great start to the race calendar. Taking part were Fran Morgan, Murray Turner, Marcia Macey, Fiona Maddock, Derek Hicks, Laura Hogan, Paul and Debbie Ashton and Sarah Bartlett.