RUNNERS taking part in one of the world's toughest endurance challenges visited the Tyne Valley.

The annual Montane Spine Race, a non-stop race along the 268-mile length of the Penine Way, is a renowned ultra-marathon known for its treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

The event, which ended on Saturday, included checkpoints at Alston, Greenhead, Bellingham and Byrness before finishing in Town Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

This year’s winner was American John Kelly, who completed the course in a time of 87 hours, 53 minutes 57 seconds.

But the race did not come without challenges.

Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team was called out early on day five of the event, along with Penrith Mountain Rescue, after a woman had become stranded while taking part in the race. She was discovered on a ledge at High Cup Nick, north east of Appleby in Cumbria.

Cold, wet, and tired, she was taken to the race’s rest station at Dufton village hall for rest and recuperation.

On Saturday, mountain rescue teams were alerted after a male competitor collapsed on the Border Ridge at Score Head, north of King's Seat, near Perth in Scotland.

The man was treated by one of the event's medics and a rescue crew doctor, before being carried off the hill on a stretcher, and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Runners have a GPS tracker on them with an emergency button.

An event safety team works closely with the emergency services, and supports the participants on the course, while checkpoint teams provide them with some of the comforts of home when they need a rest.