AFTER eight months of hard training five Bere Alston Trekkers (Bats) to take their places at the start of the Dartmoor Discovery.  

The Discovery is an ultrathon run around Dartmoor and is entirely on roads. The event starts in Princetown, and follows a route passing through Dartmeet, Poundsgate, Newbridge, Ashburton, Buckland in the Moor, Widecombe in the Moor, and Postbridge, before making its way back to finish in Princetown.  The current distance is 32 miles 674 yards.

First Bat home in an excellent time was Steve Watson who paced himself throughout to finish strongly.  Steve was chased home by Dotty Allen, Rachel Wood and Murray Turner who hit every target along their way and maintained their 32 minute advantage of the cut-off times; they were quickly followed by Jon Eatly who also ran extremely well.  Four of the five Bats had never run a marathon before and to complete such a long event over the tough terrain of the Discovery is brilliant.

The runners thanked Phil, Julian and the 20 plus entourage of supporters and all those who sponsored members.