A NUMBER of Bere Alston Trekkers ventured to St Austell to undertake the Imerys Trail Marathon.

For one day only, the land of Cornwall's China Clay Industry opens for the unique running experience.

Completing the marathon course were Steve Hill in a time of 3.37.18 and Paul Mingo in 4.55.11, knocking 4 minutes 45 seconds off last year's time.

The half marathon was completed by Murray Turner 1.45.42, Jason Burns 2.00.02, Jennifer West 2.00.41, Martin Head 2.08.30, a course PB being 11.28 faster than 2014, Sarah Cohen 2.28.03, another course PB reducing the 2014 time by 4.34, Emma Dooney 2.37.01, Kate Glanville 2.37.02, Mel Greaves 2.37.09 and Hillary Head 3.03.30, a course PB by 20.05.

BATs took part in two other half marathons the same weekend.  Andy Bowden ran the Chester Half Marathon. This race includes the Cheshire countryside before the runners head back to the city to be greeted by large crowds. Andy finished in a respectable time of 1.45.50.

The other was Matthew Head who ran the Southampton Athletics Club Netley 10k which is an almost flat course beside the Solent. Matthew ran an unofficial gun time of 41:41 which was a personal best of nearly 5 minutes against the Bere Pen 10k.