Weston Athletic Club runners enjoyed a busy week, with two different races to occupy them.

The past week has proved a busy one for Weston Athletic Club’s runners, with two different races to occupy them, and test their spring training regimes.

Tuesday saw the running of the club’s own Beacon Batch - a five-mile fell race starting above Burrington Combe and climbing 1,000 feet to the summit of the Mendips.

Rain over previous days made for soggy conditions underfoot and many muddy trainers. In a carbon copy of last year’s event, the club’s own Chris McMillan won the race by a clear margin of over 90 seconds in 34.39, the same time to the second as his 2015 run.

Guy Bradford and Andy Chadburn were the club’s next finishers in 40.18 and 41.12 respectively, and their performances secured the male team prize for the club.

The club’s first female finisher was Helen Diamond in 57.45. Lisa Acton followed a minute later in 58.45 and Rachel Stacey just seven seconds later in 58.52. Rachel’s performance also earned her an age category prize, as did Liz Green’s. Guy Bradford, Adrian Noble and Bruce Manning also scooped category prizes.

On Sunday morning, members travelled down the M5 to Torbay for its annual half marathon, an out-and-back twice event, along the main coast road between Paignton and Torquay.

Despite the hilly course, the event proved profitable for Elaine Eldridge who earned herself a new half marathon personal best time, finishing in 1.46.32. Lesley Bowskill finished in 1.59.40, taking 12 minutes off her previous course time, and Lorna-Jane Mallin took third club place in 2.05.33, also a personal best.

Steve Kibblewhite was the club’s first male finisher in 1.29.15. Dave Elliott secured a new personal best in 1.37.40, and Jim Wotton followed in 1.48.58.