The second annual King Eddie’s Stairs Challenge in North Tyneside has raised more than £4,000 for Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB).
Over 100 runners descended on King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth, on Saturday 29 June to collectively complete a total of 3,173 loops of the north side of the bay.
Organised by ClassFit co-owner Katie Elliott and TVLB lifeguards Will Hogg and Jordan McCartney, the run involved participants completing a course of around 0.4 of a mile, starting from the lower promenade in the bay and then taking in 130 stairs before a much appreciated descent back to the starting point.
Two teams of runners took part – those in pink tops representing the TVLB and those in blue tops representing ClassFit gym, based in North Shields.
Across eight hours the runners climbed 412, 490 stairs and ran 1,269.2 miles. A stand out performer on the day was organiser Will Hogg who completed 120 loops – a distance of around 50 miles.
Katie Elliott, of ClassFit, said: “It was a fantastic event, the runners showed amazing heart on the day. What got us all up those stairs was the overwhelming local support and encouragement, especially from local businesses. We can’t thank the Tynemouth community enough.
“We’re delighted to have raised so much money which will prove vital to TVLB to allow them to continue to operate the coastal rescue team and maintain and develop their free-to-visit Watch House Museum.”
The event was sponsored by Riley’s Fish Shack, with support from Be Well, John Millard Photography and ImageAir.
Donations are still coming in for the successful event but the total is expected to be over £4,000.
Anyone who would like to donate, can still do so via JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eddies2019