Published at 09:10, Monday, 18 June 2012

WITH the buzz of the fair in the background, the Allendale 8 Road Race saw competitors tackle a scenic and testing course over a non-standard distance of 7.7 miles.

The runners started with true determination and resulted in some fast times as the first three men broke the long standing course record.

The winner, James Buis (42:46), from Heaton Harriers, led from the start and by three miles had a lead of over 200 metres.

He eventually finished by taking a huge 2min 26sec off the long-standing course record and a gap of 1min 45sec ahead of the second place finisher.

Joanne Lee (51:39), from Tynedale Harriers, had a fantastic run and was able to finish just under four minutes ahead of the second placed woman, Rebecca Bardsley, of Dumfries Harriers.

For the veteran race it was a victory for unattached runner Dominic Munnelly for the men, and strong finishing Kim Bluck, of Tynedale Harriers, for the ladies.

In the team competition, it was Tynedale Harriers who took both the men’s and ladies’ titles, with good runs from Phil Vincent, Hugh Bingham, Ivan Newton and Martin Bluck, and Joanne Lee, Kim Bluck and Rachel Chinnery.

The first local man home was 18-year-old Kenneth Hodcroft, from Allenheads. The first local lady was Jennifer Swaddle, of Sparty Lea.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk