Described as a 'Cheviot Classic', perhaps the Cheviot Classic, Morpeth’s Ellis McCoy, a regular at the 20 mile Chevy Chase race, finished 4th at weekends 69th Edition.
The unmarked course features around 1250m of ascent on tracks, footpaths, sheep paths and rough heathery fell, with competitors free to choose their own race lines between the various checkpoints. Runners summit both Cheviot and Hedgehope.
Knocking twenty seconds of his 2025 time and contending with a gusting westerly wind, he crossed the line in 3hr:21m:50s. Seventh in 2024, and fifth in 2025 and knowing what to expect, he started steadily, working his way up from 7th at the first checkpoint at Broadstruther to 4th place at the Cheviot. He retained 4th place all the way back to Wooler. Running for her fell running club, member Jane Briggs did well to come in 3rd F50 (60th, 4hr:38m). A total of 120 crossed the line with 7 DNF's. Athletes from over 30 clubs took part.
Report by Alistair MacDonald