Britain's Most Beautiful Marathon Unvieled
Steve Cram
Northumberland Sport Chairman, former olympic athlete and world record holder Steve Cram has unveiled plans for a new international sports event – the Kielder Marathon.
Scheduled to take place on 17th October 2010, the marathon will follow an almost entirely off-road course around northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, in Northumberland, North East England. Steve Cram MBE, who came up with the idea for the event, has called it ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’.
The marathon will follow the newly completed Lakeside Way, a trail that stretches right around the shoreline of Kielder Water. For the inaugural event, the organisers are limiting the number of entrants to around 1,000, and expect to attract runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic setting and unique course.
Steve Cram has long wished for such an event to be staged in the area around Kielder Water, which is not far from where he now lives.
He said: “Kielder Water & Forest Park is my favourite place to run in the world and with the water’s shoreline being 26 miles long it’s an ideal venue for the ultimate running challenge, the marathon. Most of the course is off-road and it offers a wonderful test for trail runners, adventure racers and marathon enthusiasts alike. Add to that the stunning setting, with a wonderful new view at every twist and turn, and I think that this is quickly going to establish a reputation as the most beautiful marathon in Britain.”
The Kielder Marathon will measure the official marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards and event organisers estimate that the best athletes will complete the race in less than two and a half hours. The event will start and finish at Northumbrian Water’s Leaplish Waterside Park and be part of a whole weekend of activities for all ages and abilities, with a big focus on attracting families to the site.
John Cuthbert, Kielder Partnership chair and Northumbrian Water managing director said: “The breathtaking scenery of the tranquil Park in Northumberland sets it apart from all other national marathons. We’re delighted to host such a special event and really put the region on the map.”
Runners who are interested in registering an interest for a place on the Kielder Marathon can now log on to the event website at www.kieldermarathon.com.
