WHAT a fantastic year Bude RATs had in 2011, writes Ray Cole.

In only our third year we have certainly put ourselves on the map! Not only locally but nationally as well.

The club membership has grown to over 90 senior members and over 40 junior members and we have taken part in over 60 events, ranging from 10km to Ultra marathon, Sprint tri to full Iron man, and from Open water swims to full Adventure racing.

Tuesday evening social runs are very popular and now regularly have four separate running groups at different levels, while the Thursday training sessions are both challenging and rewarding for all abilities.

Our race attendance has increased. Exeter, Bideford, Pyworthy, Sourton, Ruby and the Lifeboat run all had a great turn out and at the local Mouth to Mouth, more than half the competitors were Bude RATs.

We had some great results as well.

At Bideford the ladies veteran team, Helen Heard, Ang Martin and Isobel Waterhouse came 1st in both the Half and 10km, and the senior ladies team Jane Cann, Sabine Mclean Thorne and Jaz Finney came 1st in the 10km. At the Mouth to Mouth, Ben Mitchell stormed in to take 1st place overall

Five RATs took part in the London Marathon, all with excellent times and eight RATs entered the Grizzly, Rob Shaw managed an astonishing 3hr 20, whilst Kate Greenaway with no training at all ran it under 4hrs.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.