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.
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.
5. Alnwick Castle - 16
Mud - 3, Scenery - 5, Hills - 4, Difficulty - 4. It’s no surprise to see the course in the shadow of Alnwick Castle scoring full marks for scenery. Participants call it “cracking”, “traditional” and “the best backdrop to any cross country course”. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography
6. Thornley Hall Farm - 17
Mud - 5, Scenery - 4, Hills - 4, Difficulty - 4. North East runners’ favourite course is Thornley Hall Farm. A hard and hilly race is backed up by great views and always a lot of mud. Participants agree that it is “the toughest of the lot” and joke, “don’t lose a shoe in the mud”. Photo: Stuart Whitman Photography