NEW records were set, and friendships forged earlier this week when a popular running event returned to a County Durham park after a period of absence during the pandemic.

Organised by Sedgefield Harriers, the Neptune Relays were held in Hardwick Park on Wednesday (April 27) evening for the first time since the pandemic and attracted hundreds of runners of all ages from around the North East.

With races for junior, senior, veteran, and non-club runners, the event involved almost 90 teams and record times were set on the night for the fastest combined time and individual leg.

Read more: Fire alert issued for North York Moors National Park

Returning for the first time since 2019 due to a pandemic enforced break, the popular four-leg Neptune Relays event follows a 1.7-mile route in Hardwick Park, starting and finishing in the field below the Temple to Minerva.

Clubs from around the region competed in the well-established grass roots sport event, with spectators cheering them on from various vantage points in the park.

Before the main relays started, young runners aged 5-11 from host club Sedgefield Harriers tackled a handicap race on part of the course.

The Northern Echo: Winners of the men's race - North East Project Run. Picture: RIGHT LINES.Winners of the men's race - North East Project Run. Picture: RIGHT LINES.

The Neptune Relays senior men’s event was won by North East Project in a course record time of 31 minutes and 43 seconds.

The team’s third leg runner, Will Bryan, also set a record for the fastest split time in the race, at 7:36.

Tyne Bridge Harriers (33:44) claimed second, with Durham City Harriers (33:55) in third.

The Northern Echo: Runners gather in front of the Temple of Minerva for the start of the race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.Runners gather in front of the Temple of Minerva for the start of the race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.

Meanwhile, Crook & District AC won the senior women’s race in 42:08, followed by Elvet Striders (42:27) and Tyne Bridge Harriers (42:49).

In the junior boys’ race, Durham City Harriers (36:57) claimed first, followed by Sedgefield Harriers (39:49), and a second team from Durham City Harriers (42:05).

Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers won the veteran men’s race in 38:58 and Crook & District AC (49:49) won the senior women’s race, while the mixed team title was claimed by Low Fell (45:18) and the first non-club team was Runfit Hartlepool (46:19).

The Northern Echo: Runners travelling down the hill at Hardwick Park. Picture: RIGHT LINES.Runners travelling down the hill at Hardwick Park. Picture: RIGHT LINES.

The well-attended event dates back to 2008, when Sedgefield Harriers launched the Neptune Relays, with the first race acting as a contest between just 13 teams.

Now well-established on the North East athletics calendar, the race attracts teams from all over the region.

Event organiser, Mark Raine, said: “Because of when the Neptune Relays falls in the calendar, we’ve not been able to host the races since 2019, so it was brilliant to welcome back such a good turnout for the return of the event.

The Northern Echo: Crook and District AC, winners of the women's race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.Crook and District AC, winners of the women's race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.

“The weather behaved for us and there was some excellent racing at the front of the field – it was exciting to see a couple of records being set.

“None of this was possible without loads of volunteers and the assistance of the team at Hardwick Park, which is a beautiful setting for the relays. Sedgefield Harriers is grateful to everyone who supported the event, by running or volunteering.”

The Northern Echo: A young Sedgefield Harrier runner takes off in the mini-race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.A young Sedgefield Harrier runner takes off in the mini-race. Picture: RIGHT LINES.

Winners and runners up in the various categories received the traditional Neptune Relays prizes of bags of fruit.

They were also presented with special framed certificates designed and printed by local company All About Words, incorporating a drawing of the Temple of Minerva by Sedgefield resident Ciaran Lines.

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 County Durham 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