THIS Sunday saw one of the biggest attendances at an event by the Bere Alston Trekkers at The National Trust’s Killerton House near Exeter, with members taking part in every distance, some for the first time.

The Killerton Running Races are multi terrain and multi wave events encompassing 5k, 10k and half marathon routes. The ten square mile Killerton estate was donated to the National Trust in 1944 by the Aclands, one of Devon’s oldest families. The 18th Century mansion overlooks open parkland, farmland and beautiful landscaped gardens. The historic grounds at Killerton are already an established location for running events and host a weekly Killerton parkrun.

All routes in the series staged by organisers Relish Running Races are hilly and extremely challenging, taking in some of the most scenic parts of Killerton’s countryside, which have not been used by any other running events.

Eleven BATs completed the half marathon course and Chris Anthony was the first over the line for ten men in 2 hours 02 minutes 23 seconds and Julie Page the first female BAT in 2.22.50.

Other BATs competing in this distance were Murray Turner 2.03.39, Martin Head 2.22.50, Alison Greaves 2.51.49, Natasha Ayres 3.07.00, Heather French 3.09.01 and Hilary Head 3.28.42. Completing their first half marathon, male BATs Peter Kenvin and Jon Rowsell crossed the line in 2.21.49 and 2.37.59 respectively, and Susan Williams finished her first half marathon in 2.50.32.

The 10k course was well attended by the BATs with 15 members representing the club, of which five were covering this race distance for the first time, and some of whom had graduated or were still attendees of the Couch25K programme.

The first BAT man home was Dave Dencer in 1.07.57, and for the ladies Tanya Argue, making her impressive debut for the club in 1.07.57.

Others new to the distance, and to racing, were Quinton Harte-Latremouille in 1.22.58 accompanied by wife Samantha in 1.22.53; Yvonne Hicks in 1.30.38 accompanied by husband Derek in 1.30.39, Natasha Hingston 1.21.27 and Teresa Vincent 1.31.02. Other BATs completing this hilly and arduous course were Colin Putt 1.12.02, Debbie Ashton 1.17.00, Paul Ashton 1.17.01, Sarah Bartlett 1.20.07, Nikki Putt 1.22.18, Mairi Milne 1.25.05 and Louise Helcoop 1.27.29.

Completing the 5k course and providing much appreciated support to the club’s other participants were lady BATs Jo Bourton in 1.04.01 and Orla Turner in 1.04.02.