RUNNERS aged from two to 83 were some of more than 130 who enjoyed a race in memory of a community stalwart on Sunday.

That's as competitors from far and wide took part in the Christine Brass Memorial Race, in Stainton Village, near Barnard Castle.

The fun run, which is now in its fourth year, included 1.2km and 5km races.

It is the second year it has been held in memory of grandmother Christine Brass, a Stainton resident who was also a keen runner and staunch supporter of Stainton Village Hall.

Mrs Brass, who was born and bred in the village, cheered on runners for the first two years following the event's launch in aid of the building in 2015.

Sadly the 72-year-old passed away after battling cancer in December 2016.

However, organisers - the Stainton Village Hall Committee - vowed to keep Mrs Brass' memory alive and renamed the race after her last year.

And this year saw a record number of entrants, who took on the challenging course.

Fifty runners completed the 1.2km challenge with the first home being Stainton youngster, Oliver Bentley, 11.

The 5K race was won for the second year running by Dean Newton who retained the Christine Brass Memorial Trophy.

Mrs Brass' husband, Barry and daughter, Tanya, also completed the 5km run and helped present the prizes to the winners in the village hall afterwards where everyone also enjoyed a free breakfast bun.

The event was supported by sponsors Up and Running, in Darlington, McFarlane’s family butchers, Honeyman Group, Erdinger Beers and Morrisons.

Organiser, Amanda Pettitt also thanked landowner Dennis Hinchcliffe and his son Gareth for the provision of facilities which enabled the event to happen as well as all the volunteers who made the event possible.

She said: "It was absolutely amazing and just to see the faces and smile on the day makes it all worthwhile. I think Christine would have been proud."

NB for photo

5K -Dean Newton is number 41/Shona Haston number 5

1.2K Oliver Bentley number 47/ Thea Fletcher number 53