THIS weekend saw the Bere Alston Trekkers racing on trail and tarmac, on the coast and on trails, and cooking up a big breakfast to raise funds for the club and for local causes.

The Deep River Trail races, organised by Puretrail, offer a scenic and challenging 10k and half marathon from a grand setting high above Fingle Woods, on the approach to the iconic Castle Drogo in Drewsteignton before descending to the depths of the Teign River Valley; it then rises above the Fingle treeline to finish on Piddledown Common. Taking on the 10k distance last Saturday were BATs Heather French, Paul Ashton and Debbie Ashton who all crossed the line in 1 hour 11 minutes 57 seconds.

On Sunday, lady BATs Natasha Ayres and Mel Greaves travelled to North Devon to take part in the Bideford Half Marathon. The course takes in magnificent countryside alongside the River Torridge between Bideford and Great Torrington. The course is half on roads and half on the Tarka Trail, and is described by organisers Bideford Amateur Athletic Club as moderately flat with one small hill section. Natasha finished her race in 2.20.40 and Mel in 2.21.36.

The club held their annual BATs big breakfast in Bere Alston Village Hall last weekend. BATs served more than 80 freshly cooked breakfasts and had a cake and raffle stall.

The proceeds from the event will help fund the redecoration of Bere Alston’s Trinity Hall.

BATs have pledged to provide further support to this project, both in the form of a donation for materials, and labour for the redecoration.

With the help of their supporters, BATs raised more than £460 for club funds which was helped by the kind donations and assistance from Total Produce, SJK Builders and J S Downing, for which BATs are extremely grateful.

The BATs are grateful to everyone who donated raffle prizes (including Wrigleys and Manor Garage), baked cakes or helped out front of house or in the kitchen, and to all of those who came and bought a breakfast, purchased cake or raffle tickets. The BATs will look forward to repeating this popular event again next spring.

The BATs will be out in force next weekend at the Tavy13 and The Grizzly.