RUNNERS donned their best festive fancy dress for a team race in support of a Darlington charity.
Fifty teams, totalling 150 runners, gathered at the start of the 15th McTaggart Trot, which has raised thousands of pounds for St Teresa’s Hospice over the years.
Read more: PICTURES: Hundreds of swimmers brave North Sea for Boxing Day dip
Organised by Darlington Triathlon Club member Grant McTaggart, with the help of Darlington Harrier Paul Cook and an army of aids, the event took competitors on a loop from Barton, near Richmond, to Stapleton, Croft and Middleton Tyas.
Teams members either completed a 3.5 mile leg, or a 7.5 mile section, with the last runner completing the full circular back to Barton Village Hall, a distance of 11 miles. A minibus driver from 1AB Taxis transported runners back from drop off points.
Grant began the charity run after a club member’s wife was taken ill and was looked after by staff at St Teresa’s Hospice.
“It remains such a great cause and an amazing facility for the people of Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire,” he said.
“When we started we had just nine teams and 27 runners and since then it has grown and grown. In spite of Covid we still managed to attract 150 entrants this year. Many competitors say it’s their favourite race of the year because runners of different abilities take part, it is run in such good spirit and it feels like the start of Christmas.
“It’s such a good event and, thankfully, it went without a hitch. Everyone brought plenty of cake for the end of the race which they enjoyed.”
St Teresa’s needs to raise £3m a year to provide free, in-patient and community care for people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families in Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.
St Teresa’s Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “In the current climate we are absolutely thrilled when any fundraising event can take place and the continued support of Grant and his team is wonderful.
“The pandemic is far from over and funding continues to prey on our minds particularly if Covid restrictions come back into force. We managed to maintain our core services throughout the pandemic so we are very grateful for the help of our community."
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here