THE lady Bere Alston Trekkers favoured half marathons this weekend. Lorna Lapthorn travelled to South Wales to take part in the fourth edition of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon.

Exceeding the number of entrants of every previous race, a field of 8,000 runners were expected to line up at the start, making it Wales’ second largest long distance race.

The event has recently been voted the UK’s Best Half Marathon at The Running Awards 2017, and is attracting runners to take part in this race like never before. The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is favoured for being a flat, fast and scenic 13.1 mile course, which is equally suitable for first-time runners as it is for club runners, elites and wheelchair athletes. It attracts a strong elite field from Wales and beyond, drawing in athletes from as far as Argentina, Brazil and indeed Bere Alston! Lorna finished her race in 1.55.05.

Closer to home, recent Couch to 5k graduate Sam Harte-Latremouille took part in the 26th running of the Torbay Half Marathon, her longest distance race to date.

This popular seaside event has seen demand for places steadily growing, and enjoys a traffic free two lap route which starts and finishes on Paignton seafront, and taking in the stunning coastal views across Torbay.

Starting with one lap of Paignton Green before heading towards Torquay, the course then passes the historic Torre Abbey and by the Princess Gardens where runners start the return back to Paignton.

Sam ran her first half marathon in aid of two charities close to her heart, Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal (SiMBA), and Child Bereavement UK, and ran a cracking race finishing in 2.17.50.