ON Sunday, June 11, nine Bere Alston Trekkers took part in the Instinctive Sports Plym Valley Challenge.

The Plym Valley Challenge was held in aid of St Luke’s Hospice and is a seven ‘Country Miles’ multi-terrain run through Plym Bridge Woods, allowing runners to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the National Trust protected valley and Maristow Estate.

The event starts from Tor Bridge High at Estover, following old tram and logging tracks out to Hatshill Wood below Bickleigh Village, then returning along the river valley navigating two disused rail bridges, before climbing for a short stretch of the popular cycle route.

The runners then drop to run along the old canal before turning right over Plym Bridge and then back into the woods and up the hill returning to Tor Bridge High. Leading the BATs in was Julie Page in a time of 1:04:0 to win her FV45 age group. She was followed by Martin Head in 1:09:35, Pete Kenvin 1:12:45, Sam Harte-Latremouille 1:18:01, Susan Williams 1:20:05, Kate Medhurst 1:22:27, Hilary Head 1:32:51 — a PB of over 8mins — and Colin and Nikki Putt 1:39:53.

BAT Julian Setterington also ran in the event as sweep runner, being part of the event’s medical support which was provided by Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group.

Sam, Susan, Nikki and Colin started running in January of this year in BATs Couch to 5K group. The BATs have a new group starting on Monday, June 19 meeting at 7.30pm in the carpark of Bere Alston Primary School.

Northern BAT Andy Cowden ran in the Potters ‘Arf Marathon in Stoke on Trent. Andy finished in a time of 1:53:15.