AFTER following a six week beginners schedule under their coach Dotty King, the beginners running group in Bere Alston were ready to undertake their 1.5 mile time trial and win their first medal.

Most of those taking part joined the group as complete beginners - some aged over 50 and never running before, some younger wanting to restart after a break but most just wanting to give running a go. 

The group have worked hard over the past weeks, running regular, taking part in the Park Run. 

The 1.5 mile course was on roads around the top of the village and included one climb before finishing with a fast downhill where runners were rewarded with their first medal.

The group have decided to keep going until the clocks change in October with new people welcome from 6.15pm on a Monday evening at the recreation field.

The group thanked Bere Alston Trekkers for marshalling the course and to George Allan for time keeping.

n The jubilant group are pictured above with their medals:  Angela Gibbs 14.42, Becky Rankin 12.06, Bridget Luckham 22.27, Claire Adams 19.46, Claire Gualtieri 17.37, Dan Luckham 13.03, Danielle Horn 14.26, Donna Luckham 13.06, Fran Luxton 19.34, Edward Young 13.20, Holly Christie 16.26, Jay Adams 12.53,  Jo Bourton 17.42, Karen Daymond 14.57, Karin Kattenhorn 13.48, Kit Tigwell 11.15, Laura Newton 12.29, Maria Kushnirov 13.43, Mel Greaves 13.58, Nigel Tigwell 14.05, Paula Bennett 17.41, Rob Gualtieri 11.56 and Shaun Hingston 14.40.