THE district's running community was well represented at the relaunch of two joint events.

The Run Northumberland Half Marathon, and the Run Northumberland Big 20 Miler, took place in pleasant conditions on Sunday morning.

After becoming established on roads around Kirkley Hall, near Ponteland, organisers Run Northumberland opted for a move to a bigger venue this year.

Hundreds of participants descended on a new location at Ovingham, but for many of them it was familiar territory.

Run Northumberland adopted the tried and tested tracks used for Tynedale Harriers' successful Jelly Tea 10-mile race, and the Tynedale 10k.

In the Big 20 Miler, Robert Holt of Ponteland Runners was third with a time of 02:03:10. He finished behind runner-up Jon Dixon (02:01:04), and overall winner, Stephen Jackson, of Elvet Striders, who ran an impressive sub two hour time of 01:59:37.

There was a top-10 finish for Neil Clubbs, of Prudhoe Plodders, ninth in 02:15:44, while Ponteland's Paul O'Neil was 11th in 02:17:48.

Tynedale Harrier Lisa Tang was first lady home. Her run of 02:19:53 earned 13th place overall.

Tang's Tynedale clubmate Maria Armstrong was fifth lady with a time of 02:36:30.

In the Run Northumberland Half Marathon, Blyth Running Club's Robert Morris was the overall winner with a time of 01:16:19. He finished ahead of runner-up Iain Hutchinson (01:17:15), and third placed Callum James (01:18:39).

Running in the 45-49 age category, Tynedale Harrier Tony Banks was eighth overall with a time of 01:22:46.

Just outside the top-10, in 13th and 14th place respectively, were Matthew Levison (01:24:47), and Matthew Turnbull (01:25:20), both of Ponteland Runners.

First lady home was Tynedale Harrier Andrea Banks, with a time of 01:27:51. The 45-49 age category runner finished ahead of clubmate Kirstie Anderson, who was runner-up with a time of 01:28:14.

Eleventh lady was Ponteland Runner Jessica Carney (01:41:35).

Read more in this week's Hexham Courant. Full results can be viewed at https://runnation.co.uk/results