The Tour of Tameside returned in all its glory for its commemorative 40th anniversary.

Founded by Dr Ron Hill in 1981, it was re-introduced back in 2015 and has been a North West favourite ever since!

The Tour kicked off with over 450 runners last Thursday (29 July) at the X-Trail 10K in Daisy Nook and Park Bridge Country Parks. 

Taking first position for the men’s race was David Barratt from Salford Harriers & AC (35:07). Barratt was closely followed by the first place female winner Martha Tibbot from Saddleworth Runners club (40:31).

Friday evening (30 July) saw stage two and the iconic ‘Hell on the Fell’ six mile run starting in Copley. David alongside Sale Harriers Manchester Gavin Hill crossed the finishing line side by side (36:30). East Cheshire Harrier’s runner Hayley Simpson came on top for the females (46:38).

In the third stage of the route runners tackled the ‘Hero Half Marathon’. David Barrett regained top spot (1:08:07) and Salford Metropolitan runner Chloe Elliot finishing in first place (1:34:15). To end a weekend of sweat, happy tears and a whole load of fun, David Barratt stayed top completing the Hyde 7 (35:34), with female ‘Hell on the Fell’ winner Hayley Simpson finishing first (48:04).

This year, the Tour of Tameside introduced a brand new event to the third stage, Bee in the Park, which welcomed runners, friends and family and the general public for an afternoon of learning the ins and outs of living and leading a happier, healthier and more active lifestyle.

Kevin Harmer, Events and Activation Manager at The Running Bee Foundation, said: “The Tour as always was an incredible success and it was exciting for all of us to finally have in person events again. Witnessing first-hand the passion and emotion of all our runners is magic and created such a brilliant atmosphere!

"We had another year of amazing support from our sponsors and partners and I’d like to say a huge thank you to them for helping us make this incredible race a reality. Congratulations to all our runners!’’

All profits from the Tour of Tameside go straight back into Tameside communities, helping to enhance and improve health and wellbeing initiatives and fight childhood obesity.

There is a full 12-page souvenir supplement, from pages 19 to 30, in this week's Tameside Reporter which is out now. Find out where you can pick up your copy locally for just £1 from a host of local stockists here.  

Watch a video with highlights from the four-day festival of running at the top of the page.

Did you have your picture taken by our photographer Nigel Wood during the Tour? Keep an eye out for details of how you can buy photos as a keepsake on our website and social media.