MORE than 1,000 runners and cyclists helped to kick off a marathon North-East sporting spectacular.

Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon took place at the weekend with fitness enthusiasts turning out in droves for a line-up of challenges.

On Saturday was the Kielder 10k race and the Run Bike Run event which together attracted more than 1,000 people.

This was followed yesterday by the Kielder Marathon, Half Marathon and junior runs.

Double Decathlon legend Daley Thompson was among those present on Saturday.

He said: "It's been fantastic, the weather's been perfect for the runners. Everybody seems to be having a good time and I've enjoyed watching from the side-lines, after trying out part of the route on my bike before breakfast."

Josh Fiddaman from Blyth Running Club, took first place in the 10k and the winning woman was Suzanne Thew, from North Shields Poly.

In the Run Bike Run, the first relay team over the line was South Shields 1 with a record finishing time, the first male individual was Trevor Dixon and the first female was Claire O'Callaghan.

The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend, which is in its ninth year, is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Race director Steve Cram said: "I'd like to thank everybody who either took part, came to support their friends, or all our amazing volunteers who help make this weekend possible."