Five churches in Durham Diocese have joined forces with a running group to celebrate a joint anniversary.
The Parish of the Upper Skerne was established in its current form back in 2005 – the same year as Sedgefield Harriers Athletic Club.
To mark the occasion, the Five Churches Round running and walking event took place on Sunday (22 June).
It saw more than 50 participants take on a circular route, of 18.5 miles linking all five churches in the parish. Starting and finishing at St Edmunds, Sedgefield, the route took in St Michael’s, Bishop Middleham; St Alban’s, Trimdon Grange; St Mary Magdalene, Trimdon Village; and St Catherine’s, Fishburn.
Seasoned runners were joined by members of the community, with some running and others walking the route. They visited each of the five churches along the way, where they received a warm welcome and were provided with much needed refreshment, including bacon sandwiches at St Alban’s, Trimdon Grange.
Sunday morning began with a blessing from Team Rector, the Revd David Lucas, before runners and walkers, who were led by members of Sedgefield Harriers, set off on their way.
The route was devised through an initiative involving the parish and Sedgefield Harriers, using footpaths and bridleways and taking in the County Durham countryside.
The Five Churches Round is not currently waymarked, but it uses public rights of way and Sunday also marked its launch as a running and walking route.
A leaflet has been designed and printed to promote the route. Further details can be found here.
The Revd David Lucas said: “It was a fantastic day and the weather was great for the most part. It was wonderful to welcome people into our churches. A seed was sown 20 years ago and for the parish and the harriers to celebrate this anniversary at the same time, it really has brought a whole community together.”
Event organiser Chris Lines said: “It was a wonderful day. The route took us through some lovely countryside, with flora and fauna to appreciate, and reminders of this area’s long agricultural and mining heritage as we went. In every church, there were parishioners there to meet us, keep us refreshed and refuelled, and show us around. The welcome was warm wherever we went, and we had participants of all ages, who tackled all or some of the round.”
Pictured above: Walkers and runners gather with the Revd David Lucas to launch the Five Churches Round. Credit: Chris Lines