A WET, yet beautiful, Northumberland played host to the marathon with the best views in the country.
More than 1,200 dedicated runners, ranging from elite to fun-run fundraisers, took to the 26.2 mile track which wraps around Kielder Water yesterday.
The stunning scenery of Europe’s largest reservoir spurred on the Salomon Kielder Marathon for only the second time.
The weekend also saw the return of the Kielder-Run-Bike-Run, which was complemented by a 10k event for the first time. Despite the rain, no serious injuries were reported and bosses at Northumbrian Water, who manage the reservoir, said they were already excited to see the event grow further for next year.
The event has been a joint project between renowned North East running champion Steve Cram, his Extra Mile Media and Events company, and Northumbrian Water.
A spokesman for the water company said: “Last year it was a sun-shining autumnal day for the competitors and this year they were treated to an autumnal rainy day. Most of them actually said the conditions were ideal for running.
“It’s been a terrific atmosphere all weekend. We had lots of local entrants, along with competitors from across the country, and none of them have let the miserable conditions dampen spirits.
“The whole idea for the marathon came after we built a multi-use track around the water, which just so happened to be the right length for a marathon. And you certainly don’t get scenery like this anywhere else.”
The men’s marathon was won by Salomon-sponsored Cumbrian fireman Ricky Lightfoot, in 2hours 35mins and 24secs. The women’s race was won by Jane Moore in 3hours 6 mins and 42secs. The men’s 10km run on Saturday was won by Rob Sloan, of Sunderland, in 38mins 7secs. The women’s race was won by Heather Steel in 47mins 22secs.
The run-bike-run event was won by Doncaster-based team of plumbers ‘Powered by Gas’, whose members Joel Emery, 26, Andy Robinson, 38, and Sean Poulter, 47, completed the route in 2hours 6mins and 15 secs.
Among those running for fun on the day was military nurse Jan Pilgrim, 45, originally of Willington Quay, North Tyneside.
The medic, from the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, who served on the frontline in Iraq, in 2007, showed her lighter side by completing the course dressed as a border collie.
Jan, who has been in the Army for 17 years, said: “I always wanted to have a border collie but my lifestyle meant I never had the opportunity. Instead I joined the Border Collie Rescue, which cares for 23 dogs. Now I get my exercise by walking them.
“The dog I’ve got with me today actually used to belong to a triathlete, who had to give him up because of ill-health. Now he’s my training partner.”
