Sunshine and samba for 10th anniversary Lakeland Trails in Keswick

Race report: Lakeland Trails in Keswick - Saturday, September 5, 2015

Gorgeous late summer sunshine greeted over 1300 competitors in the10th International Lakeland Trails Festival in Keswick on Saturday 5th September. Mayor of Keswick, Paul Titley, welcomed the runners to Keswick and presented the prizes, including a special donation to Keswick Mountain Rescue of £850. Nationally renowned samba drumming band, Batala Lancaster, got everyone pumping with adrenaline before the starts, and competitors from all over the world took part in the various events during the day. 

Photos: Girls from Red Rose Road Runners in the 15km Derwentwater Trail Challenge. Runner on the Derwentwater Trail. Christina Wiejak winning the 10km © www.lakelandtrails.org

Local girls shine at Lakeland Trails in Keswick

For the first time at a Lakeland Trails event, the overall number of women (55%) was higher than men (45%), and local girls were top of the podium in both the 15km and 10km events. James Scott-Buccleuch, Stockport Harriers, won the blue riband 15km Derwentwater Trail Race in 59.44. Runner up was Ambleside AC’s Jon Deegan, in 64.16 (1st Vet 40) and making the podium in third place was Steve Brennan, from Ulverston in 66.31 (1st Vet 50).

Local girl Annabel Holmes, from Keswick AC, dominated the women’s 15km Race, winning both overall and first Lady Veteran 40 in 73.24. Runner up was Ackworth Road Runner, Rebecca Winter in 74.43, with Rachel Fairclough, St Helen Striders, in 75.39. 

Oldest competitor in the race was 75 year old Charm Robson, from St Bees Triers, who won the Lady Veteran 70 in the 15km race. 

Representatives from 10 different nations took part in the event, including USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Belgium, France and Ireland.

In the morning's 10km Derwentwater Trail Run, Christina Wiejak from Barrow and Furness AC broke the women’s course record with 39.52 and finished a staggering second overall. Only another course record by Paul Graham, from Derwent AC in 36.40, prevented Christina from winning the 10km event outright. Penrith’s Suzanne Toppin was second woman in 43.38 and Helen Woodley, from Ulverston, finished third in 43.47.

More than 100 children took part in the Fun Trails, all receiving a special finisher's medal.

Singer / songwriter, Pete Lashley, first ran in the 15km Derwentwater Trail Challenge event, then performed for an hour before the prize giving.

The event was supporting the regional charity Nurture Lakeland, Fix The Fells and Keswick Mountain Rescue along with many national charities benefitting from runners raising funds through sponsorship. 

The event partners and sponsors included running brand ASICS, Lake District National Park Authority, Mirehouse Estates, Fitz and Hope Park Trust, Keswick Rugby Club, James Kirby Photography, Mountain Trauma Rescue Services, Bowland Communications, John Bagge Sports Therapy, VO2 Max Timing, VO2 Max Events, www.TrekandRun.com and Trailrunning.co.uk

There are still a few places available for the next Lakeland Trails in Coniston, on 3rd October, which takes in a panoramic circuit around the lower slopes of the Old Man of Coniston - enter online at www.lakelandtrails.org  

Photos: Event Director Graham Patten celebrating the 10th anniversary event. Batala Lancaster. Relaxed atmosphere on Fitz Park © www.lakelandtrails.org

Men's 10k results

Women's 10k results

Men's 15k results

Women's 15k results

Results are available from www.lakelandtrails.org/keswick/results.php