LAST weekend saw members of Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) taking part in the Eden Half and full marathon. 

The route for both runs is a challenging, multi-terrain one that gives runners a taste of the journey that the landscape itself has been through. Highlights include the man-made spoil heaps known as the 'Cornish Alps', the Luxulyan granite works that have been reclaimed by nature and the former china clay pit that now entertains over a million visitors a year – the Eden Project.

There were two Bats taking part in the full and four in the half.  First Bat home in the marathon was Murray Turner in a time of 4 hours 14 minutes 28 seconds and for the ladies Emma James in 4.55.25. 

For the half marathon, Steve Hill ran a great event to finish 11th overall and in a time of 1.31.20; new club member Rachael Malthouse was the next Bat home in 1.42.53 with Dan Dooney and Alen Guy crossing the line together in a time of 1.56.56.

Taking part in the Centurion Winter 100 and running for Mud Crew was Bat Sarah Burns-Morwood.  The 100 mile trail run takes in the Ridgeway and Thames Path National trails and comprises of 4 x 25 mile out and back spurs with a total climb of 3,840ft.  Sarah Burns-Morwood won her third Centurion event of the year in an excellent 17 hours 22 mins finishing fourth overall. 

Also running at the weekend were Sam Lake and Leigh Cossey-Haggar who ran at the Great West Run in Exeter. This popular half marathon gives runners an exciting new challenge for the autumn, taking in Exeter City Centre, the University as well as the beautiful country lanes of St Andrew's Road and on towards Stoke Woods.

With great weather conditions Sam ran a distance personal best of 1.37.09 and Leigh, returning from injury finished in a time of 1.47.50.