ON Sunday Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) spread their wings and travelled to the Eden Project in St Austell, Exeter and Amsterdam to take part in full and half marathons.

Nine BATs travelled west to take part in the Eden full and half marathons. Both courses through Eden and Cornwall’s dramatic clay country, not only to offer a unique sporting experience for runners nationwide, but to showcase this unique region and draw visitors to the area.

The event takes place with the help of St Austell Running Club. Running his first Marathon, Dave Dencer completed the course in an admirable time of just 4 hours 31minutes 08 seconds. The remaining eight BATs: Rebecca Mingo, Fran Morgan, Natasha Ayres, Laura Hogan, Ali Greaves, Mel Greaves, Julian Setterington and Murray Turner took part in the half marathon, their official times were unavailable as the Times went to press.

Matt and Donna Luckham went to Exeter to take part in the Great South Run which takes an exciting 13.1-miles route through the heart of Exeter.

This half marathon has it all; the energy of a city centre road race, combined with pretty country lanes and stunning views across Exeter. Matt and Donna finished together in a time of 2hrs 17mins 48secs.

Dave and Pam Adams travelled to Amsterdam, where they met with former BATs Mike and Heather Smith to take part in the Amsterdam Marathon.

Dave and Mike finished together in a time of 3hrs 48m, with Pam finishing in 4hrs 21secs and Heather just behind in 4hrs 33secs.