RUNNERS braved seven miles across a hilly landscape to mark this year's 70th anniversary of a long-standing Worcestershire run.

Around 200 racers took part in this year's Worcestershire Beacon Club, which saw runners make their way across Malvern Hills.

Worcester News: Malvern Buzzard Jack Young after the race with the local constabulary.Malvern Buzzard Jack Young after the race with the local constabulary. (Image: Malvern Buzzard)Worcestershire Beacon Club is a multi-terrain race, which incorporates tarmac road, woodland paths, exposed tracks and grass and rocks.

Runners from as far as Dorset and Exeter arrived at Little Well on October 14 to take part in the run, which race director David Waldron described as attracting hardcore runners from across the country.

Worcester News: Nikky Juniper - deputy manager from the Plough and Harrow - was the first female runner to complete the race.Nikky Juniper - deputy manager from the Plough and Harrow - was the first female runner to complete the race. (Image: Plough and Harrow)

"The Worcestershire Beacon Race is important as it has reached its 70th anniversary year," he added.

"It was not the 70th race, but 1st run was in 1953 - that's why Worcestershire Athletic Club is keen to ensure it doesn't fall off the calendar because it is so unique historically.

"It is an old-school race which attracts people from across the country."

Worcester News: Julie Caseley, Keith Evans and Margaret Kenchington at the prize giving.Julie Caseley, Keith Evans and Margaret Kenchington at the prize giving. (Image: Malvern Buzzards)Over the past 70 years, the Worcestershire Beacon Club has changed a lot since its heyday.

Mr Waldron added: "The course is a lot different from when it first started, and in 1950, there was not a lot of transport, so it was a lot quieter. We now avoid roads.

"It is a totally different race, although the name (staying the same), but we have had to adapt."

Worcester News: Hannah Thompson of the Malvern Buzzards.Hannah Thompson of the Malvern Buzzards. (Image: Malvern Buzzards)The winner of the overall 70th-anniversary race was Jack Watson from Worcestershire Athletic Club, who had completed the trek in 44 minutes and 42 seconds.

Nikky Juniper - deputy manager from the Plough and Harrow - was the first female runner to complete the race, coming in at 19th place. 

The race also breaks down each winner into categories, for example, they have over 40s, over 60s and 70s categories for each gender.

The minimum age for runners was 16.