The long, hot summer on Tyneside is finally over which means only one thing for the North East running community - it's cross country time.
Over 1,000 runners are set to take part in the first fixture of the North East Harrier League calendar on Saturday as Saltwell Harriers host a race in Wrekenton.
Runners will then take on courses across the region from Lambton Estate to Alnwick Castle over the next six months. The Harrier League races do attract some of the area's top talents who speed round courses, but for many others, it's just a matter of making it across the line to say they defeated the hills and elements.
As excitement builds to be back in the mud, NewcastleWorld asked participants to rate the seven courses in the Harrier League calendar for the 2022/23 season.
Categories included mud, scenery, hills and difficulty with respondents asked to pick a number for each section between one to five. In true cross-country spirit, we've counted high scores for mud, hills and difficulty as a good thing. Here's where the courses came out.
1. Wrekenton - 8/20
Mud - 1, Scenery - 2, Hills - 3, Difficulty - 2.
The first course of the year gets a lower score with wintery weather yet to kick in. Participants label it a “great start to the season” and “always very dry”. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography
2. Druridge Bay - 11
Mud - 2, Scenery - 3, Hills - 3, Difficulty - 3.
A course that can throw up surprises each year with difficult terrain, some participants call it an “ankle buster” that is a “beautiful place to run”. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography
3. Lambton Estate - 15
Mud - 3, Scenery - 4, Hills - 4, Difficulty - 4.
Lambton Estate is perhaps the least classic of the cross country courses of the season with a tarmac stretch and harder ground. The consensus from participants is that it’s “tough” and harder than it looks. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography
4. Aykley Heads - 16
Mud - 5, Scenery - 3, Hills - 4, Difficulty - 4.
Coming to the region’s top three courses, we have a tie in second place. Aykley Heads is one of the courses, called “proper cross country” and an absolute “mud fest”. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography