A group of thirteen Kenilworth Runners headed to the Lake District to take part in the Second Lakeland Trails Marathon and Half Marathon. The inaugural race in 2011 was a standout success with it being declared the most scenic trail marathon in Britain by Runner’s World magazine. The 42.1km marathon course takes in a complete circuit of Coniston Water along footpaths and bridleways which offered superb views of Coniston and the surrounding peaks of Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags.

For those running the marathon especially, the race proved very challenging as well as stunningly scenic , with tough climbs and the volume of rainfall in recent months making the trails muddy and slippy. Liam Chapple and Ros Matthews took part in the Marathon Race, which started at 9am, two hours after the Marathon Challenge, which Sally Hicks took part in. There was no difference in the two races except the Challenge had a more generous cut off time limit and the Race offered prizes.

Liam Chapple ran a fine race to finish in 3:57:15, 58th overall and 15th in his age category. Ros Matthews enjoyed the first 40km of the race and ran excellently to clock 4:34:11, finishing 93rd and 31st female. Her only lament was that she struggled on some of the technical sections, especially the descents, an issue that befell teammate Sally Hicks, who fell twice on separate downhill sections, suffering heavy cuts to her knees in the process. Nevertheless she continued heroically to finish 61st in the Marathon Challenge in a time of 4:53:11, which earned her a superb second in her age category and 14th lady finisher.

In the supporting half marathon race it was new Kenilworth Runner Jimmy Atkins who came home first for the club in a fine 1:47:04, which earned him 53rd position. He was followed by fellow new recruit Jayne Mumford - who ran superbly to finish third in her category, clocking 1:49:12, and Sara Habib, who also ran fantastically to clock 1:52:56. Behind these runners but no less worthy of mention was Joan Mason, who ran brilliantly to win her age category in a speedy 2:23:22, followed by team-mate Pauline Dable, who finished second in the same age category (2:26:33), and Tom Dable, who ran equally well to finish second in his age category, clocking 2:02:53

.General consensus of the event was overwhelmingly favourable and a tougher alternative to the perennial club favourite Race The Train. Hopefully future editions of the race will feature more appropriate summertime conditions which should make the going underfoot easier.

Marathon Results

*Marathon Challenge entrant.

Half Marathon Results