A BUSY week for the village of Stamfordham saw more than 100 runners take to the local roads on Wednesday evening.

Days after the village played host to thousands of cyclists as part of the Cyclone Festival of Cycling, it was the turn of the runners to experience the beauty the area has to offer through Run Nation’s Stamfordham 10K.

Starting from the village hall, the six mile route took in the villages of Dalton and Dissington on its way back.

No stranger to victories across the North-East, Heaton Harrier Magnus McGillivray took first place in a time of 36 minutes and 55 seconds (36:55).

Stephen Magrath (37:12), of Low Fell RC, was second, with unattached runner Andy Marshall (38:23) third.

Catherine Young (41:15), running for Claremont Road Runners, followed up her success at Run Nation’s Vindolanda 10K last month to take the women’s title, with Gateshead Harrier Sarah Hill (43:08) runner-up.

Jog on the Tyne’s Fiona Belgian (43:47) celebrated turning 40 at the weekend by repeating her third place finish from last year. She said: “It isn’t as hilly as the likes of Vindolanda, but it was very warm and humid tonight.

“It’s a lovely route and I think the area is really pretty, and the roads are nice and quiet. I live close by at Corbridge, and I think Stamfordham is a lovely place.

“We are usually out as a club on Wednesdays doing sprints and efforts, so it was nice to do something different on an evening!”

Fiona did the run with fellow Jotter Ruth Drake, of Prudhoe, who likewise was so impressed with the event she had no hesitation in returning. She said: “'It’s a good course, but very hard in the heat. The course has plenty of interest with plenty of bends to keep you thinking!

“We come quite regularly to the Run Nation events, and it’s a good promotion of the North-East, especially Northumberland.”

david.coulter@hexham-courant.co.uk