WITH this year’s race calendar drawing to a close many Bere Alston Trekkers were reflecting instead on the last 12 months of racing, and planning for their entries for 2018.

Four members of Bere Alston Trekkers attended the Armada 3K in Plymouth’s Central Park on Wednesday and returned home laden with trophies and silverware.

The Armada Network Grand Prix presentation took place after the race in the Life Centre. The network organises a grand prix with the aim to promote each of the individual club and network events to all club members.

The Armada Network is a self funded group of clubs in the Plymouth, East Cornwall and West Devon Area who work together to promote athletic opportunities for all. The Armada Network member clubs include Bere Alston Trekkers, City of Plymouth AC, East Cornwall Harriers, Erme Valley Harriers, Instinctive Sports, Moorhaven RC, Plymouth Harriers, Plymouth Musketeers, Plymstock Road Runners, Storm Plymouth, Tamar Trotters and Tavistock AC.

There were three categories of awards:

The club award, based upon the club percentage turnout at each of the races; the club with the highest average percentage over all the races was Plymouth Musketeers with Bere Alston Trekkers second and STORM in third.

All individual participant award, to anyone who completed seven of the 11 events in the Grand Prix - BATs were Hilary Head, Harte-Latremouille, Julie Page and Martin Head.

Awards were also given to the highest points scorers (male and female) from each club based on the best seven races - Julie Page and Martin Head.

At the weekend, a couple of hardy BATs took to the tracks and trails to represent their club.

Lady BAT Marcia Macey took on The Torrington Christmas Caper, a nine and a bit mile multi-terrain challenge incorporating much mud, forest trails, rivers, hills and more mud.

Organised by Torrington AAC, the Caper is one of the toughest multi-terrain races in the South West and was previously voted ‘Devon Race of the Year’. Marcia, who is no stranger to mud, ran an impressive race and was rewarded for her efforts with a festive mince pie.

On the same day, solo male BAT and one of the club’s newest member, Ben Saul, ran his first 10k in a BATs vest at the Saltram 10K near Plympton. The National Trust’s free monthly 10k trail runs are a great way to blow away the cobwebs, get some exercise and take in spectacular scenery. Whether training for a challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh air, runners are invited on the fourth Sunday of every month to run at various trust venues.

Ben put in a smashing debut performance, completing the course in just over an hour, and is now looking forward to his next challenge.