Marion Bunton was an 18 year old member of Tyneside Vagabonds when she suffered an accident whilst cycling with a friend near Bellingham on 21st of March 1948. Marion had joined the Vagabonds two years earlier, and had gone on to win prizes in open competitions the following year.
Marion had become a keen Youth Hostel enthusiast and for a few weekends before the accident had been visiting local hostels with her companion Mary Wright. After spending an evening at Bellingham Hostel on Saturday 20th of March 1948, they set off in the direction of Otterburn and the tragic accident happened near West Woodburn when the back wheel of her bicycle reportedly became loose as she was cycling down a steep hill. She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but passed away shortly after.
The Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy was first awarded in 1948. Appropriately, it was originally awarded to the winner of the Tyneside Vagabonds’ Open Ladies’ 10 Mile Time Trial. The winners from 1948 to 1964 were as follows:
| Year | Winner | Club / Affiliation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Joan Marflitt | Tyneside Vagabonds CC | 29m 8s |
| 1949 | MA Reaney | Hemsworth Wheelers CC | 28m 22s |
| 1950 | C Bellett | South Shields Victoria CC | 27m 3s |
| 1951 | C Bellett | South Shields Victoria CC | 27m 14s |
| 1952 | C Brown | South Shields Victoria CC | 26m 27s |
| 1953 | C Brown | South Shields Victoria CC | 25m 54s |
| 1954 | JM Burton | Stockton Wheelers | 27m 43s |
| 1955 | B Parsons | West hartlepool CC | 29m 13s |
| 1956 | JM Burton | Tees-Side Clarion CC | 27m 12s |
| 1957 | JM Burton | Tees-Side Clarion CC | 25m 22s |
| 1958 | JM Howe | Tees-Side Clarion CC | 26m 36s |
| 1959 | JM Howe | Tees-Side Clarion CC | 26m 32s |
| 1960 | A Foster | 27m 57s | |
| 1961 | A Foster | Teeside (sic) | 28m 17s |
| 1962 | P Chamberlain | Hounslow & District Wh. | 1h 9m 51s (Ladies 25) |
| 1964 | J Stokoe | 28m 4s |
We have no record of the Open Ladies’ 10 being held after 1964.
The Mountain Time Trial took place annually from 1947 to 1963. Unlike the Ladies’ 10 it was restarted, in 1971, and has taken place every year since then, except in 1987 and 2020. It is presumed that the Marion Bunton Trophy was repurposed after 1971, a new base provided and the names of all previous winners engraved.
Repurposed
The Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy is now awarded to the fastest rider in the Mountain Time Trial.
Previous Winners
| id | trophy_id | Trophy | Year | Rider | Club | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2025 | Marcel Schubert | Zurbaran Racing | 01:55:45 |
| 111 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2024 | Lewis Wake | Team Kirkley Cycles | 01:54:57 |
| 112 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2023 | Lewis Wake | Team Kirkley Cycles | 01:56:14 |
| 113 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2022 | Andrew Duggan | Muckle CC | 01:56:55 |
| 114 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2021 | Lewis Wake | Team Kirkley Cycles | 02:00:43 |
| 115 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2020 | Not awarded | ||
| 116 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2019 | Adam Wild | GS Metro | 01:49:30 |
| 117 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2018 | Adam Wild | GS Metro | 01:35:12 |
| 118 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2017 | Carl Donaldson | GS Metro | 01:52:48 |
| 119 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2016 | Richard Handley | One Pro Cycling Ltd | 01:51:50 |
| 120 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2015 | Danny Grieves | G.S. Metro | 02:03:28 |
| 121 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2014 | Rob Carter | TS Racing - Vankru | 01:56:57 |
| 122 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2013 | Jon Sturman | Activ Cycles | 01:56:01 |
| 123 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2012 | Richard Handley | Rapha Condor Sharp | 01:55:02 |
| 124 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2011 | Andrew Wilkinson | Port Sunlight Wheelers | 01:50:47 |
| 125 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2010 | Chris Newton | Rapha Condor Sharp | 01:50:16 |
| 126 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2009 | John Tuckett | A W Cycles | 02:00:14 |
| 127 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2008 | Dominic Munnelly | KB Cycles | 01:56:23 |
| 128 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2007 | Julian Ramsbottom | Scunthorpe Poly C.C. | 01:58:23 |
| 129 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2006 | Wayne Randle | Planet X | 02:01:22 |
| 130 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2005 | Keith Murray | Scott UK | 02:00:50 |
| 131 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2004 | Martin Gibson | Houghton C.C. | 02:05:33 |
| 132 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2003 | Paul Dotchin | Science in Sport.com | 02:00:29 |
| 133 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2002 | Dave Cook | Middridge C.R.T. | 01:59:18 |
| 134 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2001 | Dave Cook | Middridge C.R.T. | 01:59:05 |
| 135 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 2000 | Dave Cook | Middridge C.R.T. | 01:59:59 |
| 136 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1999 | Graeme Stirzaker | Angliasport | 02:01:23 |
| 137 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1998 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 02:02:12 |
| 138 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1997 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 01:59:12 |
| 139 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1996 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 02:01:54 |
| 140 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1995 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 01:31:09 |
| 141 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1994 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 01:55:45 |
| 142 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1993 | Jeff Wright | North East R.T. | 02:01:33 |
| 143 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1992 | Ian Norris | Ridley C.C. | 01:28:23 |
| 144 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1991 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 02:33:42 |
| 145 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1990 | Russell Thompson | G.S. Metro | 02:32:45 |
| 146 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1989 | Ian Norris | Barnesbury C.C. | 02:34:01 |
| 147 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1988 | J Sinclair | Tyne Electric | 02:38:25 |
| 148 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1987 | Not awarded | ||
| 149 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1986 | Ian Norris | Barnesbury C.C. | 02:34:36 |
| 150 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1985 | D Pike | Middridge C.R.T. | 02:36:05 |
| 151 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1984 | Billy Mitchinson | Ashington R.C. | 02:31:41 |
| 152 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1983 | Arthur Caygill | Richmond and Darlington C.C. | 02:30:44 |
| 153 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1982 | D Horton | Halifax R.C. | 02:27:52 |
| 154 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1981 | Arthur Caygill | Richmond and Darlington C.C. | 02:38:41 |
| 155 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1980 | Arthur Caygill | Richmond and Darlington C.C. | 02:33:46 |
| 156 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1979 | Joe Waugh | G.S. Strada | 02:59:31 |
| 157 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1978 | Mick Bradshaw | Thornaby C.R.T. | 02:57:49 |
| 158 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1977 | Mick Bradshaw | Whitley Bay | 03:01:29 |
| 159 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1976 | Arthur Caygill | Richmond and Darlington C.C. | 02:53:59 |
| 160 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1975 | Arthur Caygill | Richmond and Darlington C.C. | 02:58:47 |
| 161 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1974 | R Taylor | Cleveland Coureurs | 03:04:03 |
| 162 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1973 | K Sinclair | V.C. Electric | 03:04:51 |
| 163 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1972 | D Reay | Houghton C.C. | 03:06:00 |
| 164 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1971 | D Reay | Houghton C.C. | 02:58:23 |
| 165 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1970 | Not awarded | ||
| 166 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1969 | Not awarded | ||
| 167 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1968 | Not awarded | ||
| 168 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1967 | Not awarded | ||
| 169 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1966 | Not awarded | ||
| 170 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1965 | Not awarded | ||
| 171 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1964 | Not awarded | ||
| 172 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1963 | Wes Clayton | Tyne R.C. | 02:58:34 |
| 173 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1962 | N Taylor | Cheviot R.C. | 03:00:04 |
| 174 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1961 | N Taylor | Cheviot R.C. | 03:03:54 |
| 175 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1960 | N Taylor | Cheviot R.C. | 03:01:12 |
| 176 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1959 | N Taylor | Cheviot R.C. | 03:01:33 |
| 177 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1958 | Joe Lee | Tyneside Vagabonds C.C. | 03:04:40 |
| 178 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1957 | Hugh Harrison | Tyneside Vagabonds C.C. | 03:10:54 |
| 179 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1956 | J Nicholson | Durham City Rovers | 03:21:52 |
| 180 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1955 | L Shields | Barnesbury C.C. | 03:09:49 |
| 181 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1954 | Ron Longstaff | Tyneside Vagabonds C.C. | 03:10:16 |
| 182 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1953 | Not awarded | ||
| 183 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1952 | N Moore | Weardale R.C. | 03:04:17 |
| 184 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1951 | N Moore | Weardale R.C. | 03:06:58 |
| 185 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1950 | N Moore | Weardale R.C. | 03:12:56 |
| 186 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1949 | J Connoly | Dunston Coureurs | 03:20:11 |
| 187 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1948 | Ron Longstaff | Tyneside Vagabonds C.C. | 03:14:26 |
| 188 | 3 | Marion Bunton Memorial Challenge Trophy | 1947 | Stan Bain | Barnesbury C.C. | 03:20:33 |