ON Sunday 11 Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) travelled to Stover School for Teignbridge Trotter’s Templer Ten, a multi terrain 10-mile course starting and finishing in the wonderful grounds of Stover School, Newton Abbot.

The weather was bright and sunny with a cool breeze, making for good running conditions. The course is 90% off-road and runners have the pleasure of running through the picturesque Stover Country Park as well as the fields at Teigngrace.

Three of the BATs, Nikki and Colin Putt and Sarah Bartlett graduated from BAT’s Couch 2 5K programmes earlier in the year and were making their debut in a 10-mile race, while Hilary Head secured another distance PB. First male BAT over the line was Martin Head in 1 hour 25 minutes 14 seconds, followed by Derek Hicks 1.33.38.

The lady BATs were led in by Lisa Birch and Julie Page who ran together finishing in 1.37.27. The remaining seven BATs were Colin Putt 1.41.23, Susan Williams 1.42.00, Alison Greaves 1.47.48, Mel Greaves 1.47.48, Hilary Head 1.53.02, Nikki Putt 1.56.00 and Sarah Bartlett 1.57.35.

‘Northern BAT’ Andy Cowden ran in the Flying Fox 10 around the Staffordshire lanes at Standon in glorious autumn sunshine. First held in 2003, this challenging ten–mile event, held in early November, is now firmly established as the race signalling the end of the North Staffs Road Runners Association annual programme.

Run on scenic but quiet lanes, the undulating course is based round the small village of Standon near to Eccleshall in rural Staffordshire and from an initial field of over 150, now attracts up to 300 athletes. Andy finished his race in 1.29.41.