Scenery: 10 - The race starts from the country’s most scenic cricket ground and runs along the east side of Derwentwater to Borrowdale, then over Honister to Buttermere, then up Newlands and back to Keswick (22 miles or 34K)

PB potential: N/A

Atmosphere: 7 - A relaxed atmosphere with cyclists up and down the course giving encouragement

Organisation: 10 - Organisers, Alan and Elaine Ritchie are a lovely couple; nothing was too much trouble and the event went as smooth as a Swiss clock. Results were available straight away.

Value: 10 - £5 to enter. As soon as we paid, we were handed a beautiful 9 x 7 mounted card. I got a print of Derwentwater and Michaela’s was Haystacks/Buttermere. At the finish, there were generous prizes and a choice of three soups. I worked it out at 22p per mile x 74 runners compared to this weekend’s Blackpool 1/2M at £1.07 per mile x 1500 people?? This race always starts on time and no one ever gets lost and water, (and biscuits if you want one!) are readily available!

Beginner Friendly: Not a race for beginners! (The entry form states: “Restricted to Athletic Club members.”)

I lined up at the start and didn’t really feel up to it. I’d been doing too many speed sessions and not enough distance and felt like I needed a massage before I’d even started! I’d done the race a few times before and knew what to expect. It’s a tough, but gorgeous course. Where else do you see a road sign: “Beware of Badgers”?! I started off fairly steady, but struggled on the first major climb. Two Blengdale Runners, (Gosforth), in front were walking, but even though I was trying to run, I wasn’t making any ground on them. I did however pass a cyclist who looked as fit as Lance Armstrong – I think he’d got a problem with his gears! The hills were that steep, I had to put the breaks on going down.

I knew after Honister that it’s flattish till Newlands, but I’d only run 15k and I felt empty. I stopped for a pee and somehow I sensed Pistol Pete (Cruse), approaching and put on a vain attempt at a spurt on. I could feel his presence till the drinks station at the bottom of Newlands – I could hear his breathing, but didn’t look round.

I set off jogging/walking up Honister. When I reached the top I always look to a waterfall on the right because it’s been frozen in previous years. This year, it was in full flow. We were lucky – it was a glorious day. Usually, it’s really cold on the Newlands side, but today was ok.

Round about “the purple house”, Peter caught me up and went past. (See – http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=434735 Apparently, the Purple House was in the Times on Sunday and it’s expected to be a record sale for a derelict house – guide price £250,000!!! I think it will fetch nearer £500,000!) I kept near Pete and the second lady till Portinscale where they seemed to get a second wind.

I wanted to curl up and die when I finished. Instead I had some minestrone soup. No sooner had I got my soup when Julie Cruse seemed to come in, closely followed by Michaela.

There were still twenty runners “out”, but the prize giving started. Julie Cruse was 1^st for her age, but they got her club wrong, much to Julie’s annoyance. At this point Mike Walsh finished and not realising they were half way through the presentation, asked what club they had him down as! This seemed to flummox the organiser somewhat! Michaela told Mike he was interrupting the prize giving, but he still wanted to get the last word in: “You had me down as Kendal two years ago,” (Which was true!!) “and Julie dun’t normally get a prize!” (Which was his ‘dig a deeper hole’ excuse for not realising it was the presentation). He also thought all the clapping was for him when he came into the finish! In his praise, what other 74 year old and eleven months could get round that eh? Well done indeed to him.

1^st Male Adam Breakes (Halifax) 2:08:50

1^st Lady Karen Heaviside (Eden) 2:39:47

2^nd Steve Littler 2:09:13

7^th Steve Myerscough 2:32:46

27^th Peter Cruse 2:52:10

29^th Martin Bates 2:53:36

39^th Julie Cruse 3:00:18

42^nd Michaela Dempsey 3:06:24

60^th Dave Wood (BW&F) 3:22:54

63^rd Mike Walsh (BW&F) 3:28:05

The next day, we went for a gentle walk round Rydal. In contrast to yesterday, it was raining. The cave had been fenced off due to a rock fall.

We discovered a gem of a tearoom www.cotehow.co.uk. It would be an ideal base for a training weekend. The Chairman would love it. They serve toasted scones!

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 23^rd February 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

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