THIS week saw yet another busy week for the Bere Alston Trekkers with its members participating in several events including two marathons and a half marathon.

Not only were the races in different counties but Ben Neale crossed the Atlantic for America for the 120th Boston Marathon, which took place on April 18. Ben Neale flew out to participate as part of his quest to complete all the world major marathons. 

In a point to point race the race started in the outskirts of Boston in a town called Hopkinton before winding its way back into town along a undulating course. In hot conditions alien to Dartmoor winter training (20 plus Celsius), Ben managed a solid 3 hours 12 minutes 15 seconds time despite having a tough final 10km including the infamous Heartbreak hill.

The second marathon of the week was another London. Jade-Marie Alford ran the course as her first ever marathon, and raised substantial funds for her chosen charity BLISS. Jade completed the course in a fantastic time of 5.27.50.

Matthew Head opted for his second running of the Southampton Half Marathon. The half marathon starts and finishes in the heart of Southampton’s city centre with the run course passing iconic local landmarks including Bargate, QE2 Anchor and St Mary’s Stadium, as well as traversing the Itchen Bridge. Matthew Head completed this event in a time of 1.39.45, over two minutes faster than last year, despite a late start to training, and finished 578th in a field of more than 4,100.