RUNNERS from Sedgefield hope their trip to Germany will spark a new sporting phase in the town’s long-established twinning relationship.

Sedgefield Harriers are heading to Hamminkeln, near the Netherlands border, on Friday, where they will take part in a series of running events.

The team was encouraged to go over by the mayor’s office and harrier and Sedgefield Mayor, Councillor Chris Lines, who hopes it will mark the beginning of a new branch of the twinning tie.

“Every year there is a main visit where either a group goes to Hamminkeln from Sedgefield or vice versa,” said Cllr Lines. “Maybe it will kick start a new phase of what is a long and strong relationship between the twinning associations.

“The average age is probably younger than the usual groups so it’s getting another generation interested and involved in it, using sport.

“I hope there’s a sports club in Hamminkeln that we can encourage to visit Sedgefield when there’s a sporting event.”

Sedgefield Twinning Association has been on official visits to the North-West German town, and has welcomed its foreign counterparts, since the early 1980s.

But it was only two years ago that the Sedgefield Harriers discovered Hamminkeln hosted a series of races alongside a festival in an event called the Citylauf.

After making contact with the overseas twinning association the group of two junior and seven senior members were offered free entry to the races and accommodation with local families during their stay.

Nine harriers aged between ten and about 50 will take part in the races - with the junior members and some runners tackling the 5k with the others taking on the 10k.

The runners also plan to meet up with the local sports club, Hamminkelner SV, and attend a civic reception.

Cllr Lines, who stayed there previously, will be taking his son Ciaran, 13, and will stay with a former mayor.

He added: “I have friends there, long term and good friends, but I haven’t been back for a while so I’m really looking forward to it and really looking forward to the run. I’m hoping this won’t be the one and only trip.”

The group, including club chair Phil Houghton, leaves on Friday and will return to Sedgefield on Tuesday, August 30.