BERE Alston Trekkers (BATs) took part in three events this weekend at the Eden Project in Cornwall, North Devon and Cheshire.

Eight BATs made the journey to St Austell for the Eden half marathon which was run alongside the Eden marathon.

Both events start from the car parking area in the Eden Project and finish outside the arena which is in the shadow of the biomes with the benefit of offering the runners a downhill finish for the last mile.

The half marathon follows a challenging route through areas of spectacular mining heritage and beautiful countryside, which after the recent wet weather included some quite large patches of standing water.

First of the BATs to finish was Martin Head in 1.54.05, followed by Jim Medhurst 1.55.51, Julie Page and Clare Munro 2.18.02, Steve Davis 2.26.17, Mel Greaves 2.30.05, Kate Medhurst 2.40.01, Hilary Head 2.51.28. This was Kate’s first half marathon.

Meanwhile BAT Holly Higgs took part in Mission Unbreakable, an obstacle course race which raises funds for North Devon Hospice. The course was designed with the help of commandos from 24 Engineer Regiment, based at RMB Chivenor. This commando-style course is filled with real challenges such as mud, fire, water, ice and a range of assault course obstacles including the fearsome Travelator, which will be the final test that participants need to conquer in order to call themselves ‘unbreakable’. To continue the commando theme, this is not a timed event or a race — it is about surviving the course together, working together, helping each other out and enjoying this unique opportunity to take on such a challenge. Holly completed the course and earned the ‘unbreakable’ title.

Further north, BAT Andy Cowden travelled to the village of Farndon near Chester on the Welsh/English border to run the Farndon 10k. Fortunately heavy overnight and early morning rain had given way to light drizzle on arrival and had stopped altogether by the time the race got underway. The runners were provided with a very pleasant undulating course along closed Cheshire lanes. Andy finished in a time of 52.14.