FEBRUARY was a busy month for Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats) with three Bats taking part in the Coastal Trail Series from Lizard Point to Land's End. Rebecca Mingo and Sarah Morwood ran the 35 mile ultra distance and Paul Mingo the half marathon.  All courses are contained within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rebecca and Sarah finished in joint third place in a time of 6 hrs 26.20 mins while Paul in the half marathon finished in 3.23.26.

A group of Bats took part in the Plymouth Hoe 10 on the 17th with three of them wearing their Bats vest for the first time. Ben Neale was the first male Bat home and ran superbly to finish in under the hour with Ruth Macintyre running as a Bat for the first time and was the club's first lady home.  Leigh Cossey-Haggar and Toby Rankin were also running for the first time and a big well done to Janice Fuller for running a great time.

Bats times: Ben Neale 59.03; Leigh Cossey-Haggar 1.18.43; Ruth Macintyre 1.27.41; Toby Rankin 1.37.19; and Janice Fuller 1.37.26.

Two Bats and a dog took part in the Lanhydrock Half Marathon in the  Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Half Marathon. Making his Bat vest debut for the club was Leigh Cossey-Haggar who finished in 1hr 46mins 48 secs and making a welcome return was Julian Setterington who ran with his dog Eccles-Ispaniel and finished in a 2.15.32.

This month a large contingent of Bats took part in the Bideford Half Marathon on the third. First male Bat home was Derek Hicks who finished second in his age group.  First lady Bat home was Emma James. Mike Chipperfield achieved a personal best as did Heather and Mike Smith.  Toby Rankin was running his first half marathon for the club and was paced around by Dotty King to finish in a good time, Grant Lawrence ran well as did Leisa Copper and Alen Guy.