The month of May saw members of Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) take on a multitude of challenges.

At the Ivybridge 10k BATs Laura Newton finished in a time of 58 minutes 28 seconds with Samantha Marshall in a time of 58.48.

The scenic race started in Ivybridge station car park and finished at Ivybridge Rugby Club. 

Three BATs took part in the Black Death Race, held at Combe Sydenham Country Park. Martin and Hilary Head and Mike Smith ran the challenging 10 mile trail race, which passed by the sites of villages struck down with the disease in the 14th century. Keeping with the theme, marshals were dressed in cloaks and scythes.  Promoted as probably the toughest off road run in the country with a total elevation of over 2600 feet, the race did not disappoint. Finishing in 2 hrs 57mins each BAT received a tee light holder in the shape of a skull.

Two Bats ran in the Exeter Triathlon.  It was their first triathlon for Paul Williams in his first event for the club.  Bats took part in the sprint distance - 400m pool swim, 24km bike and 5km run and competed well. Nathan Newton finished in a time of 01.18.15 and Paul in a brilliant time of 01.28.30.

In the the Moonlight Flit, which starts in the light and finishes in the dark, on a mainly off-road route consisting of one lap for the 10k and two laps for the 20k route.    BATs Nathan Newton in 1.43.26 and James Coole in 2.07.02 for the 20k and  Ruth Macintyre, 1.00.03, making a great effort in the 10k.

Seven BATs took on the Muskie Madness 5.5 which is a 5.5 mile undulating multi-terrain run around Ham Woods in Plymouth and organised by the Plymouth Musketeers.

All BATs ran well with Mike Smith finishing first, closely followed by first female BAT Fran Morgan. Karin Kattenhorn, in her first race, finished strongly in a time of 62.03.

BATs taking part in this well organised and friendly event included Mike Smith (46.09), Karin Kattenhorn in her debut race as a BAT (62.03), Laura Newton (52.19), Frances Morgan (51.09), Janice Fuller (54.18), Mel Greaves (63:37) and Heather Smith (55.18). It was a lovely summers evening run and a good turnout for the BATs.

Paul Mingo took part in the Endurance Life Coastal Trail Marathon at Flete Estate, in South Devon. This race took runners around the coast paths and beaches including Mothecombe and Bigury Bay. In uncomfortable conditions Paul completed the 27 mile event in 6 hrs 03mins.

In the Dartmoor Discovery 32 mile ultra race BAT Jon Eatly completing it for the second time in a PB of 5.59.40 while Rebecca Mingo in her debut for this race ran in 4.30.57. Rebecca was second female to finish and was awarded first female newcomer by the secretaries of the 100 Marathon club.