EARLIER this month, Bere Alston Trekkers took part in four races over one weekend. 

The first was the The Plymouth 10K which is the largest 10K road race in Devon and is hosted by the organisers of Plymouth's Half Marathon. It is a fast, relatively flat, traffic-free road race that takes an out and back route through the city centre.

In good running conditions six Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) took part.  First across the line for the men was Stuart Medhurst who was chased by the club's first lady, Sam Lake, both running great times.  Well done to Tracey Oxborough who ran a really excellent time to finish second in her age group.

Team Bat – Plymouth 10k 2014 finishing times: Stuart Medhurst 42 minutes 01 seconds; Samantha Lake 43.05; Tracey Oxborough 47.14; Leigh Cossey-Haggar 49.38; Matt Luckham 53.23 and Nicky Edmunds 58.23.

There were three lone Bats running the same weekend.  The first was Christine Le Flem who took part in the Bideford 10 miler.  This race is a combination of road and track taking runners along Instow seafront into Yelland and returning along the Tarka Trail, running through a tunnel and is a moderately flat course with three small hills.

Working hard on her off-road training, Christine ran a cracking race to finish first in her group in a time of 1.26.31.  Christine is pictured heading for the finish.

Jenny West took part in the Helvellyn Trail 10k Run.   Starting and finishing on the shores of Ullswater in Glenridding, the run followed a circuit along well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways that took runners into the foothills of Helvellyn, with elevated panoramic views of Ullswater, and dramatic vistas of Helvellyn and the surrounding peaks. Well done to Jenny who finished in a time of 52.55. 

Having been unable to secure a place in this year's New York Marathon, running solo in the United States of America was Dotty King who took part in her first 5k — the New York Dash to the Finish.  With more than 7,400 runners taking part the start outside the United Nations was a little cramped but the race progressed through Manhattan to finish in Central Park at the same finish as the New York marathon. Dotty had a great run to finish 13th out of 378 in her age group and in a time of 22.58.