The Tour of Tameside returned to the borough for a fifth consecutive year at the weekend - and a combined total of 2,399 people put their best foot forward across all four days.
The iconic event took place from June 13-16 and attracted a good mix of club class competitors, social runners and charity fundraisers.
Organised by Sports Tours International, each day was well contested between a number of distinguished runners from various clubs, including East Cheshire Harriers, Belle Vue Racers, Glossopdale Harriers, Hyde Village Striders and Mossley Running Club.
Despite the best efforts from a number of runners, Mohammad Abureseq and Kirsty Longley (pictured below) successfully defended their male and female titles with overall times of 3:05:43 and 3:28:02 respectively.
Mohammad, who represents Altrincham and District AC, won every stage of the Tour while Kirsty, who represents Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton H, was the first female to cross the finish line on the first three days. However, Kirsty was denied victory on the final day - the Dr Ron Hyde 7 Mile - by a matter of four seconds as Laura Hesketh took the female crown.
Gareth Raven (pictured below) finished a close second in every leg while Chorlton Runners' Matthew Devlin came third.
Sale Harriers' Jenny Fox took second spot in the female division, and Victoria Plackett finished third.
While many of the runners took part to raise money for various charities and good causes, the event's official charity was The Running Bee Foundation. Established in December 2018 to honour the memory of much-loved community figure Mo Done, the Running Bee Foundation aims to improve the health and well being of local residents and to help tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. It will do this by making grants available to community groups and local charities in the towns and cities where Sports Tours International's events take place.
The Tameside Reporter's Mark Philip (pictured below) ran the X-Trail 10k and the Dr Ron Hyde 7 Mile for the Running Bee Foundation, and has so far raised £200. In a bid to maintain his fitness and generate further funds, he will also be taking part in the UK Fast City of Manchester 10k on Sunday, July 7th. Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so using the following link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=MarkFrost16&pageUrl=1
Daddies Escape (pictured below), a running group established to give father's a chance to improve their fitness and well-being, were heavily represented across all four days. Unfortunately, due to a car accident before the Hyde 7 Mile on Sunday morning, club captain Liam Mellon was unable to complete the Tour and will instead do the same route upon his return from injury. The Reporter would like to wish Liam and his wife Leanne a speedy recovery!
We'll have in-depth coverage and pictures in this week's Tameside Reporter - out Thursday, 60p.
If you've been inspired to start running or want to take part in another event, why not sign up to the UK Fast City of Manchester 10k? Further details can be found here: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/sportstours-events/manchester-10k/
Here is a full set of results from the 2019 Tour of Tameside:
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