East Cheshire Hospice have benefited to the tune of thousands of pounds following the Macclesfield Harriers’ recent Langley Seven race.

The race runs through the centre of Langley village, and then up the grueling climb of Withenshaw Lane, before returning through Macclesfield Forest to Bottoms reservoir, and this year attracted almost 300 entries.

The first runner over the line was Staffordshire Moorlands’ 19-year-old runner Ryan Holroyd, who completed the seven-mile course in 39min 31sec.

He was followed by Macclesfield Harriers’ Tim Pattison in 40.37. Wilmslow had the first lady home, in the form of Diane McVey, who took 46.31, followed by Macc Harrier junior Danielle Wallis in 47.31.

All the finishers received a welcome bottle of beer, and after the race, they returned to the village church hall where tea and cakes were the order of the day.

The event raised a total of £2,200 for the hospice, and thanks went to all who helped out at the race.

Race organiser, Harriers’ Julian Brown, said: "The race was a great success and I’d like to thank everyone involved in the race, including the runners, 263 of whom finished, more than 60 marshals, cake makers, helpers from East Cheshire Hospice, Bryan Dale Photography, physio Mike Honey, the St John's ambulance, Raynet, our race referee, the ladies of Langley Village Hall, North West Water, and all the other folk who helped the day go off so well."