LAST weekend was a busy weekend for Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats) with members taking part in three events.

The first one was the Haldon Heartbeat with five members heading to Exeter Racecourse to run the 66 furlong or 8.25 miles event, which was a scenic undulating run through Harcombe Forest, on a sunny but windy day. 

Mud was lacking due to the dry weather which assisted new club member Andy Bowden, who was odds on favourite to lead the club home in a cracking time of 1 hour 12 minutes 03 seconds. 

Martin Head cantered in closely behind with a personal best of 1.13.12, Jennifer West in 1.15.27; Sarah Cohen trotted in at 1.30.06 with Hillary Head being the dark horse of the day, galloping round in an outstanding time of 1.43.17, knocking an incredible 16.28 of last year's time.

The second event of the weekend was the annual Plymouth Half Marathon.  Plymouth's half marathon is a traffic-free road race set in the heart of the city.

Runners once again gathered on the Hoe to start their 13.1mile journey around Plymouth. 

First male Bat home was Ben Neale who finished ninth overall and ran a course best.  First lady Bat home and third lady overall was Rebecca Mingo who also ran a personal best.

A big well done to Jade and Simon Alford who were running their first half marathon and ran for their chosen charity of Bliss and did exceptionally well.

Other first timers for a half marathon were Laura Hogan and Laura Newton. There were also a number of personal bests including Mel Greaves, Lisa Birch, Natasha Ayres, Alysia Maciejowska, Ben Neale and Steve Hill.

There were more Bats at the Honiton Hippo which is a tough multi-terrain race of roughly seven and a half miles.

Running as one group the team finished in a time of 1.56.15 which was a 15 minute personal best on last year's time. Team Bat – Honiton Hippo were: Julie Page; Phil King; Andy Bowden; Martin Head; Dotty King; Hilary Head, Jenny West; Kate Glanville; Sarah Cohen and Jo Bourton.