YORK Acorn Running Club secretary Nick Ford and his running partner Peter Summers (Easingwold Runners) have just completed their fifth successive Karrimor International Mountain Marathon.

Since 1968, the gruelling event has been designed to test the navigation and safety skills of teams of two runners in consecutive marathons over mountain country.

Teams must carry their own tent, food and survival equipment.

This year's arduous two-day race was held near Largs, near Scotland, and Ford (pictured right) and Summers, who only run together for this one event, completed the long-scoring class.

That meant they were on the move for up to seven hours on the first day and after an overnight camp, six hours on the second day.

Ford and club-mate Jim Benson finished 15th and 16th respectively in the multi-terrain "Wild Race" at Kielder Forest.

The open men's title went to Michael Siddall (Pocklington Runners) who finished second in the race in 42 minutes 11 seconds to clinch the series.

Updated: 11:56 Wednesday, November 14, 2001