THE Bere Alston Trekkers were among the runners supporting the Armada Athletics Network Autumn Trail, with a number of new club members taking on this gruelling seven mile multi-terrain race for the first time.

The popular autumn trail, originally the ‘Frank Elford Sports Autumn Trail’, is staged in the grounds of the beautiful Newnham Park Estate in Plympton.

A multi-terrain course over grassland, woods, paths and trails, it includes a number of river crossings which, after the recent heavy rain, were marshalled by volunteers in wetsuits.

The route was particularly muddy this year, and was the first time at racing this distance for new club members Debbie Ashton (1.24.14), Nikki Putt (1.27.54) and Sarah Bartlett (1.28.08) who all dug deep and ran strongly.

The efforts of club veteran Derek Hicks was rewarded by a prize for first in his age group (MV60) in a time of 1.03.40, and first man over the line for the BATs. The first lady BAT home was Julie Page scoring a PB by 61 seconds (1.06.52).

Other BATs completing this course were Laurence Sargent (1.04.25), Martin Head (1.04.25), Pete Kenvin (1.06.33), Mary Sargent (1.15.00), Ralph Elmes (1.16.23), Colin Putt (1.17.32), Sam Harte-Latremouille (1.18.51), Mel Greaves and Fran Morgan (1.26.01). Running as ‘sweep’ runner, Hilary Head finished the course in 1.50.32.

On the same day, solo lady BAT Heather Lee ran the Torbay Tornado half marathon, hosted by Riviera Racers as part of their Tornado Race Series.

This coastal race started at Berry Head Country Park, taking in the whole perimeter of Torbay on stunning woodland trails, coastal paths and road sections with around a 1,600ft ascent.

The route out from Berry Head Road drops down to Brixham Harbour before joining the coastal path around Churston through stunning woodlands and cliff tops.

The route then follows around Goodrington and Roundham before joining the promenade and onto the beach to Preston sands to Hollicombe.

Continuing on to Torquay, past the Princess Theatre, around the harbour and up Beacon Hill, the route rejoins the coastal path by the Imperial Hotel, and a grand finale of a lap of Ilsham Marine Drive to the finish at Ilsham Green.

Heather Lee completed this challenging course in 3.04.09.

Meanwhile, Northern BAT Andy Cowden ran the Sandbach 10K, finishing 79th out of 309 runners, on a new course in a time of 48.53.