THOUSANDS of runners and riders descended on the North Tyne to compete in the Kielder Marathon weekend over two action-packed days. 

More than 3,500 runners and cyclists took part in the events, which included a 10K race and a Run Bike Run duathlon at Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside site.
Meanwhile, the weekend’s main event, billed as Britain’s most beautiful marathon, celebrated its tenth anniversary. 

Elsewhere, more than 1,200 athletes participated in the Kielder Half Marathon and over 100 children ran the junior races.

Steve Cram, race director at Events of the North, said: “The atmosphere has been incredible, even a bit of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of our runners, or their loved ones who came to see them cross that finish line.

“We were delighted to have a number of our ‘ever-presents’ joining us for our special birthday today too. These people have been with us since day one, just confirming what we know – that this really is Britain’s most beautiful marathon and once you’ve done it once, it gets under your skin.”

The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend, is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare.

Coun. Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Kielder and Northumberland.