SOLD OUT within a week of its announcement, the second Elvet Striders Court Inn Clamber was held last night, Wednesday 22nd July.

The undulating 5.2 mile course wends its way through Houghall Woods and around the Woodland Trust site at Low Burnhall in the south of Durham City.

The course is testament to the fell running background of the organising team, headed by Phil Owen. No hill or incline was left unaccounted for, the trail underfoot firm and dry. Conditions were perfect.

Last year’s winner, Jonny Evans of Jarrow & Hebburn AC was beaten in to third place this year by his teammate, U20 and overall winner Liam Emmett. Robert Eaton of Durham City Harriers took second place and the V30 male prize.

For the ladies, last-minute entrant Lucy Butt of Durham City Harriers was first lady and first female senior across the line (placing 16th overall), followed by Elvet Striders’ very own Elaine Bisson and Penny Browell, who also took V30 and V40 female prizes respectively.

There were outstanding performances throughout the field with no less than six different clubs represented in the prize listings.

First senior male went to Joel Thompson of Durham City Harriers, 11th overall and first female U20 was Abia Hearman of Sedgefield Harriers (87th overall).

Sedgefield Harriers also had prize winners in Paul Weir (first V40 male) and Diane Baines (first V50 female), with Sunderland Strollers Michael Armstrong (first V50 male) and Ron Avery (first V65) also in for a bottle of wine each.

Elvet Striders stalwarts Mike Bennett and Roz Layton took the V60 prizes, whilst Crook AC sent their most established veterans - Percy Parkin winner of the V70 category and Allen Purdham winner of the V75.

Congratulations again to Elaine Bisson and Stephen Jackson, who were the first Striders home.

Closing the prize-giving, the last award of the night went to Michelle Donnelly of Sunderland Strollers who, after a nasty fall last year, returned with vengeance to put that demon to rest. Michelle was the final runner over the line and was presented a lovely bottle of champagne, kindly donated by the Court Inn, by winner Liam Emmett.

Congratulations to all who ran and marshalled; many thanks to Phil and the team for organising, and endless gratitude to the Court Inn for their marvellous food and generous prizes.

This weekend Elvet Striders take on their monumental 300-mile charity relay challenge – read more about it here: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/13462109.Striders__300_mile_charity_challenge/

Submitted by Steph Piper