HARDY harriers battled rain and mud to raise hundreds of pounds for charity at the 126th annual Barnard Run.

All Barnard Castle School pupils take part in Barney Bash qualifiers to try to race in the main run which is held on the school fields, the Demesnes and by the River Tees.

This year proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Elite runner India Pentland, 15, won junior, intermediate and senior trophies and the first senior boy home was last year’s winner Caleb Ellis, 17, of Dalton.

Headmaster Tony Jackson said: “The race tests students’ resolve and resilience with some magnificent efforts being put in, not only by our elite athletes but also students whose natural talents lie elsewhere.“Students took the adverse weather conditions well and truly in their stride as they lent each other fabulous support to ensure everyone reached the finish line.”

Barnard Castle Preparatory School children, from reception to year six, also joined in with either a one or two-mile cross-country course depending on their age and ability.

Headmistress Laura Turner said: “It was an absolutely outstanding effort. All the children ran with smiles on their faces and the rain and mud simply added to the sense of adventure and fun.”

As well as completing the fun run, Prep School’s elite runners tackled the two-mile cross-country course around the school grounds.