LAST weekend 17 Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) and one Plymouth Musketeer made the 600 mile round trip to Snowdonia for this year's club trip. For the second year it was to take part in the Trail Marathon Wales half and full Marathon, with 11 taking part in the half. The Trail Marathon Wales event and the well organised event and wonderful views make it a memorable for a classic trail running route. Both distances started and finished at the visitor centre at Coed y Brenin.  Set within the Natural Resources Wales' land most of the route is around the single-track footpaths and roads of the forest.  This year the event was a figure of eight route, which saw the first half of the marathon follow the same course as that of the half marathon, returning to the visitor centre and then heading across under the A470 and onto the eastern side of Coed y Brenin and the world-famous Tarw Du/Red Bull MTB route. Both routes were challenging with the overall elevation of the marathon route reaching 3,500ft.  With 360 degree panoramic views from Rhobell Fawr to the Rhinogau, and constant changes in the terrain underfoot and the types of trail runners had to follow including forest road, tarmac, public footpaths, technical single-track, steep inclines followed by hazardous declines under a hot sun, it was one of the toughest events the Bats have taken part in. Making her half marathon debut was Karin Kattenhorn and making their full marathon debut were Matthew Luckham and Emma James.  First male Bat home for the half marathon and running a really great time was Dan Dooney, first lady Bat for the half was Marcia Macey.  First male Bat home for the marathon was Matthew Luckham, first lady Bat home was Dotty King who was running her tenth marathon distance for the year. Well done to all Bats taking part in this event as it really was a very hot day and members thanked Yvonne Hicks who cheered every last club runner through to the finish. Bats will next be running at this weekend's Torbay Half Marathon.