ORGANISERS of the 31st Great Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon, Brathay Trust, say the popular event delivered a cracking set of results amidst a blaze of autumn colour at the weekend (Sat 19 Oct).
Brathay took on the event in 2018 bringing with them their experience of organising the ASICS Windermere Marathon. Their aim is to breathe new life into a classic road race and to increase revenue for their youth charity work.
Over 800 people signed up for the Langdale Marathon races which have the reputation of being the toughest road events in the UK. Exceptionally hilly with some climbs on the course being 1:3 it attracts both seasoned runners and those looking for their next challenge.
Two figures who could not be there on the day sent messages of support. They were race founder and patron, Rob Berry or “Rocket” Rod, who presented the prizes last year. He sent his best wishes from a cruise of the Caribbean. And Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron tweeted “*sighs* – So this is what I’m missing today….good luck to all the runners, it’s a tough course but breathtakingly beautiful. I am with you in spirit, though bodily I am in Westminster.”
First back from the full marathon, a two lap circuit of the half was Sean Warburton in 3:11:42, followed by Andy Wilkin in 3:17:31. The first female was Nicola Shaw in 3:49:20 and in second place was Susanne Enhard from Eden Runners in 4:05:24.
In the half marathon Lewis Hinchcliffe from the Rochdale Harriers and Athletic Club came first in 1:22:53 and John MacDougall was second with a time of 1:25:44. The first female to cross the line was Lucy Foreman from the Cambridge Harriers in 1:39:06, and the second was Jackie Murdy from South Shields Harriers in 1:40:16.
Set in the beautiful Langdale valleys the route takes the runners in an anti-clockwise direction from Great Langdale to Little Langdale through to the picturesque hamlets of Skelwith Bridge, Chapel Stile and Dungeon Ghyll.
“The weather was perfect for running, still and cool and the views were incredible which surely helped to lift the spirits of the runners,” said Scott Umpleby, Brathay’s Head of Fundraising.
“Thank you and congratulations go to all those who took part, the runners, the volunteers who marshalled key points on the route, operated water stations and our sponsors The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and Heart of the Lakes” added Scott.
A full set of half marathon results can be found here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3482
All the marathon results can be found here: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3481
For details of other running challenges organised by Brathay, including the Ambleside Trail 60, Brathay 5k and how to apply for a London Marathon 2020 Golden Bond visit the charity’s website at https://www.brathaychallenges.com/
