RUNNERS from a County Durham town have been strengthening the bond with their German counterparts by tackling a race together overseas.

Members of Sedgefield Harriers made their second trip of the year to twin town Hamminkeln last week to take part in its annual 10k and 5k contest.

Staying with host families, the ten adults and juniors took on the Hamminkeld Citylauf routes and spent time with the town's mayor Bernd Romanski.

Harrier and Sedgefield Town Cllr Alda Hummelinck said: "It was lovely to see everybody again and to be able to build on our growing friendships.

"Hamminkeln put on a great event – it was very well organised and the weather was beautiful like last year."

The runners were ten of 1,600 people to take part in the races on Sunday, August 27, while some Sedgefield residents cheered in support at the sidelines.

In the 5k race, junior Ciaran Lines was the first from Sedgefield to cross the finish line, with Chris Lines in first place for the town in the 10k race.

Sixteen members of the German town's sports club, Hamminkelner SV, will repay the visit this month to take part in its parkrun on Saturday, September 16, before joining runners for the Sedgefield Serpentine, the Sedgefield Harriers' biggest annual event, on Sunday, September 17.

Sedgefield and Hamminkeln have been twined since 1982 and each year a group from one of the communities visits the other.

In 2016, Sedgefield Harriers organised an additional visit in partnership with the office of the bürgermeister (mayor) of Hamminkeln, Mr Romanski, and the organisers of the Hamminkeln Citylauf events.

For details about the Sedgefield Serpentine visit www.sedgefieldharriers.co.uk/sedgefield-serpentine