DOZENS of people have been rewarded for striding towards a healthier lifestyle by completing a fitness challenge.

A ceremony was held on Thursday for people who rose to the Ton-Up Challenge, and reached 100 miles by jogging or walking at Peases West athletics track and designated routes around the Wear Valley.

The initiative increases the health and well-being of people in the area and helps to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

It coincides with the A Chance To Live campaign, launched by The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbria Water to promote healthy living in a district with poor health statistics.

Of the 93 people who enrolled for the challenge, 37 reached the 100-mile target and in total more than 6,000 miles were completed.

Wear Valley District Council chairwoman Councillor Margaret Douthwaite, presented awards.

She said: "I'm really impressed with what the participants have done, particularly the young ones who have done their very best. The challenge has been a good opportunity to walk or run regularly, which is very important, and to make new friends."

Ton-Up achievers (*trophy winners for most miles in age group): (Male 16 to 59) Stephen Manifold*; (Male 60-plus) Ron Shotton, Doug Bellis*, Eddie Gill, John Alver Slack; (Female 16 to 59) Vera Phillips, Wendy Griffiths, Alice Donaghy, Christine Taylorson, Jane Brook, Moya Holliday, Annette Cutts, Barbara Nesbitt, Carole Dodds*, Margaret Bell, Christine Burrows, Claire Holliday, Vivian Manifold, Karen Lambert, Doreen Underwood, Linda Bullough; (Female 60-plus) Norma Shotton, Wilma Sewell, Jean Slack, Renee Raine, Ada Mitrovic, Mavis Moralee*, Pamella Burns, Joan Bellis, Florence Ena Luke, Jennie Johnson, Charlotte Hodges, Edna Gill, Freda Davison, Margery Crawford, Beryl Burdess, Maureen Green

Special awards also went to Rosie Hendron, Charlotte Hodges and youngsters Holly, Joshua and Jacob Craig* and Phillipa and Faye Slack*, who all made an extra effort after starting the programme late.