NINE Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats) took part in the Plym Valley Challenge last Sunday with some great results.

The race is a multi-terrain course over 8.2 miles.  Starting at Tor Bridge High in Estover the course goes out to Plym Bridge Road and Wrigleys factory into the beautiful Plym Bridge woods where runners follow old tram tracks and logging tracks out to Hatshill Wood, below Bickleigh Village and then return along the river valley navigating two disused rail bridges.

Runners then run along the old canal before turning right over Plym Bridge and then back into the woods and up the hill returning to Tor Bridge High.  With the recent bad weather there was plenty of mud and puddles to run through, tree roots to negotiate and slippery hills to climb.

However, with all the cross-country training the Bats do they literally flew around the course which is also one of the club's grand prix events. 

First male Bat home was Mike Smith and first lady was Maria Kushnirov.  Bats were also placed with the ladies winning second and fifth team and Dotty Allan finishing second in her age group.

Also among the West Devon runners was a one lone runner for Tavistock Athletics, Pete Bazley (1.07.44), who was first in his age group.