AFTER last weekend’s balmy weather, Bere Alston Trekkers were out again in force on Saturday and Sunday most probably wishing they could don sou’westers and wellies against the wind and rain.

On Saturday, two intrepid BATs lined up at the start of Cousin Jack IV. Named after the many ‘Cousin Jacks’ who quit the county in the 18th and 19th centuries in pursuit of a better life, Cousin Jack takes in some of the most beautiful and rugged coastline between Cape Cornwall and St Ives. With three distances to choose from, Heather Lee and Laura Hogan took on the Classic Jack. Despite the winsome name this is a seventeen-and-half mile test of courage. To say it’s an immensely challenging race is probably a bit of an understatement, suffice to say both ladies worked hard. Official times: Heather Lee 4 hours 55 minutes 44 seconds and Laura Hogan 5.56.48.

On a miserable and stormy Sunday morning a great posse of BATs descended on Bideford for the 25th Bideford Half Marathon 2019. Taking in some magnificent Tarka countryside along the way the course follows the River Torridge between Bideford and Great Torrington.

Despite driving rain several runners achieved a personal best, however, there was one casualty when Gary Fielder sustained a calf injury and was unable to finish. On a happier note Yvonne Hicks and Jim Medhurst completed their first half marathons.

The runners in order of finishing were Tanya Argue 1.49.03. Tanya led from the start and simply could not be caught. Showing her team-mates a clean pair of heels, she knocked a whopping 34 minutes off her personal best in the process. Clare Munro had a storming race advancing through the field to finish with an impressive time of 1.52.06.

Lisa Birch achieved a pb with 1.52.48. Jim Medhurst 1.55.03, Julie Paige 1.55.26, Peter Kenvin 2.00.53. Holly Higgs in 2.03.25 raised £840 for Cancer Research in memory of her mum and gained a pb in the process.

Debbie Ashton achieved a pb with 2.04.44, Derek Hicks 2.05.49, Natasha Hingston also achieved a pb with 2.06.28, Michelle Jonas 2.18.00, Yvonne Hicks 2.38.46 and Sam Harte-Latremouille 2.38.46.

It was a fantastic turnout for the club.