Luke Young, Hyewon Wilson claim first-place honours as popular Fernleigh 15 running event returns after COVID-hiatus

After a two-year hiatus, the popular run was back on track for the ninth time along the rail trail between Adamstown and Belmont. Close to 800 people entered in the main 15-kilometre event.

In the overall male category, Awaba runner Luke Young finished in a time of 49 minutes and 34 seconds, well ahead of Reuben Swain (51:02) and James Alexander (51:15).

Wilson, of Newcastle, was the first female to complete the run in a time of 58:45. She beat Ainsley Pahljina (1:00:58) and Felicity Gamble (1:01:40).

The top-three male and female runners, along with the wheelchair competitors, shared in $4000 prize money.

"The numbers were down on previous years, but that's just COVID at the moment - most events are down 30-odd per cent," Paul Humphreys, of run organiser H-Events, said.

"But we're really happy.

"Lots of people from out of town, the various regions around Newcastle.

"So a good little tourism boost for the area."

MORE IN SPORT:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: