WE are looking back in time when hundreds would turn out to take part in the Allendale Challenge.

One person who took part was Twice Brewed Manager Steven Blair who was given a round of applause by the Northumberland National Park Moutain Rescue after completing the Allendale Challenge in 11 hours 49 minutes in 2023.

Not only did Steven complete it, but he wore a full fireman's kit with an oxygen tank, to raise money for defibrillators for the area near the brewery.

In 2022, Hexham Army Cadets took on the challenge in memory of an ex-cadet who passed away from an aggressive brain tumour in 2021.

Ryan Castle, 22, passed away from glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain tumour, during the Covid pandemic.

The ex-cadet company sergeant major died during lockdown restrictions, which meant his fellow cadets were unable to attend his funeral.

Capt Sean Ferguson, an army cadet instructor at Hexham Army Cadets, said: "Ryan passed away during Covid and we didn't all have the chance to say goodbye and remember him."

Sergeant Sue Hill, another instructor, came up with the idea to complete the Allendale Challenge in memory of Ryan and raise funds for a commemorative bench in his name, a new annual trophy that will be awarded to the top cadet, and a donation to cancer charities.

In 2018, hundreds of walkers and runners turned out for the 29th Allendale Challenge.      

Despite visibility problems caused by low cloud, they successfully navigated the 26-mile circular route through the Allen Valleys.

Ian Holland, who has been involved with the event since it started, was among the participants in the 30th anniversary in 2019 where there were more than 850 taken up.

The Allendale Challenge starts and finishes in Allendale, with the circular route taking walkers and runners through some of the North Pennines' most beautiful countryside.

The 25-mile (40 km) route through rural areas, included Hard Rigg, Black Hill and Kilhope Law, before returning to Allendale via Spartylea, the Drag, and Ladelwell.