TAKING part in the Tavy 7 road race last week was a good number of Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats). Starting at Plaisterdown the route is seven miles, out and back, of undulating and scenic moorland roads.

First Bat home, second overall and first in his age group was Ben Neale who makes a welcome return to running.  Chris Anthony made his debut for the club and the first lady Bat across the line was Rachael Malthouse in a super time of 54.01.  Laura Newton ran a six minute personal best.

Also running at the weekend were Emma Dooney and Steve Hill who took part in the Dartmoor Vale.  Steve finished the marathon in 3 hours 1 minute, a massive personal best of 23 minutes — fourth overall and first in his age category while Emma took three minutes off her 10k time to finish fourth in her age category in a time of 52.16.

Thousands of runners have taken part in the new Bristol-to-Bath marathon the same weekend, four of them were Bats.

The race started in Bristol city centre and took in the Portway and roads through Hanham, Bitton and Kelston before finishing in Royal Victoria Park, Bath. 

Bats’ finishing times were Mike Smith (a personal best by 58 minutes) and Dave Adams 03.56, Pam Adams and Heather Smith 04.47.00 (a personal best by seven minutes for the latter).