LOVE was in the air as the iconic Tynedale Jelly 10 Mile road race moved to Hexham Racecourse.

For husband and wife team Tadele Geremew Mulugeta and Justina Heslop scored an Elswick Harriers double with the men‘s and women’s titles.

In the first event to be held at the racecourse following the moving from the traditional route from Hexham to Wylam, the couple impressed over a 10-mile course which many found tougher than expected.

Mulugeta put in an impressive display to finish in a time of 56:10, and he was followed home by Tyne Bridge Harrier Marc Fenwick (58:24) and Gateshead Harrier Conrad Franks (58:59).

His partner Heslop (1:03:04) was the fastest female, with Madga Grinsdale, of Tyne Bridge Harriers runner-up. F

There was a top three finish for hosts Tynedale Harriers with Kirstie Anderson (1:10:14) in third.

A total of 450 runners signed up for the race famous for the serving of jelly at the finish of the race, and many described the picturesque route around Hexhamshire ‘brutal’.

Tynedale Harrier Kim Bluck said: “It was certainly a challenging course, described as brutal by several runners, with several major hills, but the weather was perfect for running and the views on the way round were spectacular.

”The race marshals from Tynedale Harriers were given a massive thumbs up by the runners who seemed to rate them as the most friendly and supportive marshals in local running races!

“The Harriers would like to pass on their thanks to all the local residents around the race route who tried to avoid using the roads for the duration of the race and even came out to cheer on the runners. This is a long-standing event in the Tynedale Harrier calendar and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local community and race sponsor Wylam Garage.”