Husband and wife go the extra 3km in Nepal race

This unique off-road race is set against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayan Mountains and includes woodland trails, stream crossings and over 8500ft of elevation gain.

Married couple Emma Tan and Tim Aldridge have been trekking in the Himalayas for the past two and a half weeks, and only entered the marathon when they first arrived in Kathmandu. However, both are experienced marathon runners, and with the altitude training they have been doing, including a trek to Everest Base Camp, they completed the marathon together in about six and half hours.

They even had enough energy left to add an extra 3km onto the end of the race, as the official route was slightly short of the 42.2km official marathon distance.

Over a far less demanding course and distance, Buxton athletes put in some fantastic performances at the annual Cheddleton Christmas Pudding 10K race on Saturday.

The course near Leek comprises three, traffic free laps of a hilly route around the lanes of Cheddleton, with every finisher winning a Christmas pudding for their efforts.

Once again, Buxton AC’s Alasdair Campbell was in fine form, winning the race in a new personal best time of 33:11. Campbell led from the gun, and although last year’s winner Mark Powell ran him close finishing in 33:14, Campbell held him off for the win. Being from Scotland, Campbell commented that the bagpipe player gave him an extra boost on each lap.

Buxton also had another three runners in the top ten; Ben Light 7th in 36:16, closely followed by 15-year-old Elliot Meylan, 8th in 36:19 and Robert White, 9th and 1st V40 in 36:28. Also running for Buxton were Kevin Mottram, 58th in 42:49, Roly Meylan, 88th in 45:14, Alan Talbot, 160th in 50:10, Elizabeth Nocton, 230th in 55:03 and Alison Hitchen (in her 1st ever 10K race), 295th in 64:39.