The Tour of Tameside four-day running challenge ended on Sunday 19th after over a thousand runners took to the hilly routes and flat roads of Tameside, Greater Manchester. 

Delivered by North-west health and wellbeing charity, The Running Bee Foundation, the iconic event took in the best of Tameside with routes through Oldham, Stalybridge, Glossop and Hyde. The races offered a variety of running routes, distances and terrains challenging runners physically and mentally. 

Not even the two hottest days of the year could put off the determined runners whose eyes were on the finish line for each race and some, all four events. 

The X-Trail 10K on Thursday 16th kicked off the Tour, followed by Hell on The Fell on Friday (17th) evening. Saturday morning (18th) was the Hero Half Marathon and finished with Dr Ron Hyde 7 (mile) on Sunday 19th. 

Overall winners for Male and Female of this year's Tour were Joe Baker from Stadium Runners in a total time of 3:10 and 17-year-old Aliesha Smith from East Cheshire Harriers in 4:03. 

This year’s event also includes the Walking Tour of Tameside which saw dozens take part in a walking alternative to each race and the MyFirst Mile run on Sunday 19th. Over 50 youngsters, parents, friends and first-time runners completed the 1-mile run through Hyde Town Centre. 

Across all four days, the crowds came out to cheer loved ones and enjoyed on-the-day activities and delicious food from local traders, including The Pick Me Up Truck and Vegetarian Indian Cuisine from Chitt Chatt.  

The Tour of Tameside was originally a week-long event by DR Ron Hill MBE, running legend and Running Bee Ambassador. It was reborn again in 2015 and brought back into the borough. Sadly, at the age of 82, Ron passed in May 2021 but his legacy and athletic spirit live on and will be recognised in the recently launched Dr Ron Hill MBE Legacy Fund. 

To celebrate a life truly missed, runners enjoyed a pie and a pint after completing their four-day challenge in honour of their friend in true Ron style. 

All runners walked away with a medal after every run and full tour finishers received a goody bag and T-shirt. The top 3 winners from both male and female categories received a prize in the form of a donation to their chosen charity. 

Steve Kenny of The Running Bee Foundation, said, ‘’what an incredible few days we have had in Tameside. The feedback from the runners has been outstanding! I want to thank the amazing sponsors and partners who have enabled us to deliver this event for another year, and to our volunteers, whose help and support have been vital in putting on this event.'' 

 ''Well done to all the runners who took part, whether you ran in one race or all four, a massive congratulations to you. We look forward to seeing you again for a bigger and better event in 2023.’’ 

The Tour of Tameside saw familiar faces return for another year, but also welcomed new runners crossing the finish line. Anne, from Mottram, completed her first ever half marathon at the age of 75 and Mattias Ekman, travelled in from Sweden to run the Hero Half - making it the 77th half marathon he had completed as part of his bid to complete 100 events by May next year. 

The Running Bee Foundation is a North-west-based charity that champions health and wellbeing initiatives promote the benefits of an active lifestyle and helps in the fight to reduce childhood obesity. 

MyFirst Mile is an initiative set up by The Running Bee Foundation and aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to complete their first mile and begin a lifestyle change to become happier, healthier and more active. 

With all profits made from Tour of Tameside, The Running Bee Foundation has donated grants to local community groups and initiatives in Tameside to support health and wellbeing events and initiatives.  The Foundation is actively seeking Tameside-based health and wellbeing causes as part of its 2022 round of funding.  Check out the funding criteria on their website and apply for consideration. 

Results

Full Tour Winners  

MALE: Joe Baker, Stadium Runners - 3:10

FEMALE: Aliesha Smith, East Cheshire Harriers - 4:03 

Thursday 16th June - X-Trail 10k

MALE 

1st. Gavin Browne, East Cheshire Harriers - 35:29 

2nd. Matthew Cooper, Trafford AC - 35:44 

3rd. Christopher Phillips, Saddleworth Runners Club, 36:07 

FEMALE 

1st. Katie Kay, Hyde Village Striders - 44:39

2nd. Aliesha Smith, East Cheshire Harrier - 45:46

3rd. Abigail Keeble - 46.40

Friday 17th June - Hell on the Fell 

MALE 

1st. Gavin Browne, East Cheshire Harriers - 37:20 

2nd. Matthew Cooper, Trafford AC- 37:24 

3rd. Joe Baker, Stadium Runners - 38.10 

FEMALE 

1st. Beth Donnelly, Trafford Athletic Club - 42:41 

2nd. Aliesha Smith, East Cheshire Harriers - 49:56 

3rd. Janet Jobey, Royton Road Runners - 49:59 

Saturday 18th June - Hero Half Marathon 

MALE  

1st. Joe Baker, Stadium Runners - 01:17:36 

2nd. Matthew Cooper, Trafford AC - 01:19:20 

3rd. Gavin Browne, East Cheshire Harriers - 01:19:29 

FEMALE 

1st. Beth Donnelly, Trafford Athletic Club - 01:28:05 

2nd. Chloe Elliot, Salford Mets AC - 01:35:54 

3rd. Zoila Gilham-Fernandez - 01:38:20 

Sunday 19th June – Dr Ron Hill Hyde 7 

MALE 

1st. Ryan Worland, Salford Harriers & AC - 37:18 

2nd Gavin Browne, East Cheshire Harriers - 38:32 

3rd. Joe Baker, Stadium Runners - 38:37 

FEMALE 

1st. Beth Donnelly, Trafford Athletic Club - 44:06 

2nd. Katie Reynolds, Salford Harriers & AC - 46:49 

3rd. Imogen Trinder - 47:00 

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