LAST weekend saw the transition from summer to winter, with near perfect running conditions for Bere Alston Trekkers on Saturday and cool conditions with torrential rain showers on Sunday.

Members of the BATs took to the roads and coastal trails on both days.

On Saturday, club veteran Laurence Sargeant took part in the Dartmoor Bacon and Beer Fell Run. This race provides a great opportunity for runners of all standards to experience off-road running at its very best.

Described by finishers at last year’s inaugural event as ‘proper fell running’, this Fell Running Association registered and insured six mile fell run starts and finishes at the Fox and Hounds Hotel at Bridestowe and offers hills, mud and spectacular scenery along a fully marked and marshalled course. Laurence finished his race in 59.39 and seventh position overall.

Meanwhile, BAT lady Rachel Wood travelled to mid-Wales to take part in the 54th Across Wales Walk, organised by the Across Wales Walk Association. This 45 mile foot race with an 18 hour time limit attracted a wide field of ultra runners as well as walkers.

The linear route runs from the English Border at Anchor Bridge to the Welsh Coast at Clarach Bay, near Aberystwyth through a variety of scenery, including Plynlimon, the highest point in the Cambrian Mountains.

Rachel finished this arduous course in just under 13 hours, and was placed joint fourth female with her running companion Alli Holland.

The Treggy7 hosted by Launceston Road Runners was a wet affair on Sunday this year for all competitors, which included four BATs.

Launceston Town Square is the starting point of this seven mile circular race. The first mile heads mostly down hill out of the town and onto undulating rural roads until the first water station at the 2.5 mile point.

It’s then a half mile climb to the village of Tregadillett, and after leaving the village at four miles, the last three miles are mainly downhill with the second water station at 5.5-miles and a fantastic finish line in the grounds of Launceston Castle.

First over the line for the BATs was club chair Martin Head in 56.22 (PB of 1 minute), followed by Ralph Elmes 1.08.54, Fran Morgan 1.09.57 and Hilary Head 1.15.37 (PB of 8.32).

Meanwhile, Matthew Head took on the Plymouth Coasters 5 miler, a race around the river Plym, starting and finishing by Marsh Mills roundabout.

The race follows the path between Plymouth Road and Sainsburys, heading out along the Embankment, over Laira Bridge, down The Ride, through Saltram, returning to the finish. Matt ran a very impressive race, finishing in 31.53 and ninth position overall.

Northern BAT Jaynie Turner completed the aptly named Gritstone Grind, a 35 mile trail race which sees competitors running the entire Gritstone Trail in under 12 hours. This race takes a linear route between Kidsgrove and Disley, near Stockport, starting at Mow Cop on the Staffordshire border to Congleton, Macclesfield Forest, Bollington and Lyme Park before finishing at Disley in Cheshire.

Jaynie, running as Team Turner along with her dad and brother, finished in 9hrs and 17mins.