THE scorching weather proved testing for two members of Bere Alston Trekkers, who took on the challenge of racing in the heat.

Lone BAT Murray Turner travelled to Glastonbury to take part in the inaugural Conquest of Avalon, an ultramarathon organised by Albion Running. Their ?aim is to showcase some of Somerset’s best scenery.

The race had some sweeping panoramas from the hills and some quaint rural locations off the beaten track, but there can’t have been many more spectacular finishes to any UK ultra than this, in which competitors climb to the top of Glastonbury Tor for an astonishing 360 degree view, then descend through the quirky town to the majestic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey.

The event included three distances, with options for 70, 50 and 30 miles, and Murray opted for the 30 mile option, which followed the final leg of the 50 mile route from Castle Cary to Glastonbury, featuring Alfred’s Tower along with a scintillating slideshow of scenery.

Murray completed this arduous feat in difficult conditions, finishing in 8 hours 4 minutes.

Lady BAT Marcia Macey ran the The Coleton Footacher, hosted by South Devon Athletic Club. Founded in 2016, the race is a 6.3 mile course which takes runners from outside the National Trust house at Coleton Fishacre out onto trails, dropping towards the coast path.

Once on the coast path, competitors are rewarded during various climbs and falls by stunning sea and coastal views before dropping down to the WW2 Gun Batteries at Froward Point.

A climb up away from the coast and a drop back down through the fields brings runners to the final stretch up through the gardens of one of the top five National Trust gardens in the UK and the chance to cool down. Marcia ran a very strong race, finishing first in her age group.