The challenging Stanhope 10K Trail Race took place on Saturday 5th March, organised by Greener Miles Running, with four members of TAC taking part. This was an eco-friendly event – there were no disposable cups, no t-shirts or medals, but instead one of the items in the finishers pack was a packet of mixed flower seeds to encourage bees.  The mandatory kit list included a foil blanket and mobile phone which gave an indication of the challenge in store. Registration was at Stanhope Showground at Unthank Park with the event starting a short walk away. The first section was across a couple of fields below Ashes Quarry before climbing up a road and then on to a track, which went down and then up East Lane to Collier Law, a total of 1,200 feet ascent. Despite the blue sky and sun it was very chilly at the top of the moor.  After a short flat section it was downhill, carefully crossing the road and on to a very tricky, stoney/rocky steep lane. The next section was in woodland and at times was only a single, very muddy path, with one section having a very steep drop to a waterfall – great care and concentration needed. Finally it was back into Stanhope and across the main road past the swimming pool and over the footbridge and alongside the river to the finish. Rhys Foster was first back in 1:15 and 28th place.  Barbara Crawley crossed the line in 60th place in 1:30, Gail Foster in 1:45 and 82nd place and Amanda Pettitt finished in 1:51 and 89th place