WITH Christmas fast approaching, it would not be surprising to find the race diary empty for local running club the Bere Alston Trekkers.

However, it was business as usual on Saturday as seven members travelled to Cockington in East Devon to take part in the annual ‘Cockington Caper’. In the 12th running of this popular race in the beautiful Cockington Country Park, participants enjoyed eight miles of picturesque countryside around Cockington, near Torquay.

The race starts from Occombe Farm and follows a varied route around Cockington Country Park, through woodland, fields and open parkland. Race competitors, friends and family can enjoy after the race festive entertainment with a Christmas cake for all finishers.

Meanwhile, in Dorset solo BAT Sarah Cohen ran her first race in 16 months after injury and completed the Bovington Half Marathon on Sunday, a race which started and finished at the famous Tank Museum.

This mostly off-road race is organised by White Star Running, and sees participants running through the tank training area before heading out into woodland, and through rivers, sand and thick mud with plenty of challenging hills along the way, and in true White Star style, exceeded the true marathon distance.

Sarah finished the half marathon in 2 hours 45 minutes.