Runners in The Trigger

Runners in The Trigger

A mountain rescue team provided jelly babies and hot drinks to sustain fellrunners taking part in a fundraising event in severe conditions.

Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team benefited to the tune of more than £2,700 from the Trigger race, run between Marsden and Edale in the Peak District.

The 40km (25-mile) event took in the national park’s three highest hills: Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Black Hill and is the brainchild of Nicky Spinks, one of the country’s top female fellrunners, and her husband Steve Burgess.

A Woodhead MRT spokesperson said: “The day of the race saw temperatures drop to some of the lowest of the year with some treacherous conditions underfoot making the race even more interesting for the competitors.

“However, with Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team manning the checkpoints and supplying jelly babies and hot drinks in their role as on-hill race support, the competitors were always in safe hands.”

Ian Winterburn and Amanda and Andy Heading of Racekit also sponsor the event.

Mr Heading, who is also race organiser, said: “The race has been immensely successful and is now one of the most prominent fell races in the Peak District and is fast becoming a sought after national event.

“Racekit are proud to sponsor the event which ultimately supports a very worthy local charity in Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team.”

Woodhead team members on duty at one of the checkpoints. Photo: G Gibbons

Woodhead team members on duty during the race. Photo: G Gibbons

Woodhead team leader Keith Wakeley said: “On behalf of the team I would like to thank the race organisers and all sponsors in the local community for the time and effort they have put in to organising this race and making it such a success both as a classic fell race and a fundraising event for the team.

“I am humbled by the generosity of both funds and time that people are willing to commit to raising money for the team, without their assistance it would be far more difficult for us to provide the service do.”

The men’s race was won by Oli Johnson who completed the course in 3hrs 8mins, shaving five minutes off his time last year. Jasmin Paris was the first woman over the line with a time of 3hrs 32mins.

Woodhead MRT member Pete Sparks provided a hot meal for competitors after the race at his Bank View Café in Langsett. He said: “It was great to be involved on the day and providing hot food for the competitors was the very least I could do.”

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