NTC’s Tom Walker took first place overall at the Newcastle Way marathon on Sunday, while Corrina Bradley completed her first event at the distance.

Tom and Sarah Thorne have shared the day's highlights.

It was a cold, misty start at Mow Cop Castle, trail conditions were a real mix of gravel, slushy mud and bogs, which made me thankful for a few miles of road when they turned up.

Even though there was a gpx file to follow on the watch, local knowledge was certainly needed as the Newcastle Way is not easy to follow. 

There were trees felled on the path in several places, at one moment I spent a good 15 minutes in dense undergrowth trying to get onto a trail.

Highlights of the race were Bignall Hill, Apedale and Silverdale Country Park.  Nearing the end of the the run, there was a new build estate built on the path and a field completely underwater, the stile was in there somewhere! 

I diverted around and set an entire field of geese off...

Finishing the run into Market Drayton in the Joules Brewery you got a free pint for your troubles. I was glad to come away with win and a nice award, 3D printed with the elevation profile.

It was a lovely route and I'm sure I can take half an hour off my time if I try again.

Turnout was low, but I would recommend this race as although it was tough, the views are worth it.

Sarah Thorne adds:

Corrina's longest run, before today, was 14 miles. She set out with the intention of completing the half distance and then seeing how much more she could do. She completed the marathon!!!!!

We ran as a group of three - me, Sarah Burgess and Corrina. We chatted, we ate sweet treats, we gave each of the 108 stiles a rating out of 10. We picked up a stranger at the start who stuck with us the entire way. We ran through a lot of mud! What a fabulous day!

Tom Walker: 4:52 - 1st overall

Sarah Thorne, Sarah Burgess and Corrina Bradley and - 8:17 - 24th, 25th and 26th