[A]lmost a thousand runners completed a marathon circuit around England’s longest lake, Windermere, for the 12th ASICS Windermere Marathon (Sunday 20 May).
It was also the final marathon for the largest field yet to tackle the Brathay 10in10 – 10 marathons in 10 days challenge.
First back in the marathon was Neal Emmerson, with a time of 2:44. He ran his first 10 miles in 59 minutes, neck and neck with last year’s fastest runner Julian Goudge. Julian’s time of 2:47 meant he was placed second.
The first female over the finish line was Sally Ford, racing for the first time for Kendal Athletics Club. As an FV40 her time was an impressive 3:18. Sally is the only female runner to also come first in the Brathay 10in10, a record she claimed in 2012.
The first local runner back, and collecting the Martin Campbell Memorial Shield, was Benjamin Hodgson in 3:06. Last year it was Martin’s son Matt Campbell who claimed the title.
Full marathon results can be found here.
The 10in10 results were equally impressive, even more so because of the incredible challenge the runners face of completing the same marathon, also the Windermere Marathon course, every day for ten days.
Brathay’s Head of Fundraising Scott Umpleby says it’s a credit to the sports therapy students from University of Cumbria that all 20 runners completed their 262 miles. 117 people have now completed the 10in10 and 30 enquiries have already been received by those interested in next year’s event.
The fastest lady in the 10in10, a FV45, was Lianne Warren with a time of 43:30. The 47 year old mum says she loves running but doesn’t find it easy, she also broke her ankle in February. She said: “Sometimes it is a love/hate relationship but I wouldn’t be without it! Running gives me focus and motivation and, as I am a natural worrier, it is my stress-reliever and a refuge from the pressures of life. I hope that people will identify with me as an ordinary woman who runs. I have a terrible running style, I’m not thin and I like to eat chocolate and drink wine – but I dare to hope to do something amazing.”
The two 10in10ers who are local to the course, Duncan Evans, who works at the Ryebeck Hotel in Bowness, and John McCann, a member of Kendal Athletics Club who lives in Morecambe, ran well. Sixty-five-year old John’s total time was 50:35 and Duncan’s cumulative time was 55:15.
Newcastle’s Adrian Brooks, who once weighed more than 26 stone and could barely run for more than five seconds, completed his 100th marathon during his 10in10 making him a member of the 100 Marathon Club. And Malcolm Collins’ success this year means he has now run five 10in10’s having recovered from knee surgery in December.
All 2018 10in10 results can be found here.
It was also a day to remember Brathay supporter Matt Campbell, who died during the London Marathon. His appeal stands at over £364,000. Every runner ran their own #MilesForMatt including those in the junior races and the guided trail run as well as the marathon runners. Those on the marathon course could remember Martin and Matt Campbell as they completed the final 3.7 miles of the marathon – the distance Matt had left to run in London.
Those not involved in running were able to enjoy a range of activities and sports as part of Go Active at Brathay. Its aim is to encourage people to discover a new activity that could become a regular way of keeping fit.
Scott Umpleby expects the day to have raised over £120k for the charity’s work with children and young people.
For more information about Brathay challenge events visit the website brathaychallenges.com
