Hobblers return with a spring in their steps

The event was cancelled last year as organisers Allen Valley Striders didn’t want to call on the already stretched emergency services dealing with the floods caused by Storm Desmond, but the weather behaved this year to ensure a great day was had by all participants.

People travelled from across the North-East and Cumbria to take part in the 10.5-mile off-road route in the Allen Valleys.

Strider Brendon Jackson said: “The hobble was cancelled lat year because of the weather conditions and we didn’t want to put more pressure on the emergency services.

“Everything went well this year and the weather conditions were ideal for the the event, in fact we couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Claiming victory by completing the course in a time of one minute, nine minutes and 32 seconds (1:09.32) was Northumberland Fell Runner John Butters.

Sam Stille (1:10.03), of Team Newcastle Triathlon, was runner-up with James Osborn (1:10.45), of Durham Fell Runners, third.

Just missing out on a place in the top three was Allendale resident Cees van der Land (1:11.28), of Tyne Bridge Harriers.

A record number of women participated in this year’s event as they made up 40 per cent of the field, and the winner was a familiar face throughout the district.

Tynedale Harrier Karen Robertson, representing Northumberland Fell Runners, was first female across the line in 1:22.29 as she claimed a fantastic 29th place overall.

Morpeth Harrier Catriona MacDonald (1:24.31) was second and Dawn Metcalfe (1:30.55), of Derwent Valley Trail Runners, was third.

While runners came from far and wide, the district’s running clubs were well represented too. Tynedale’s Phil Vincent (1:15.09) claimed a top 10 place by finishing ninth, with Christian Henderson (1:19.24), of host club Allen Valley Striders, in 17th spot just one place between Alistair Maxwell (1:18.54), of Tynedale.

Full results are available at www.allenvalleystriders.co.uk.