33rd KESWICK/BUTTERMERE 34K

(600 metres longer than usual due to flood damage at Portinscale Bridge)

 

Entries limited to experienced Senior Club runners only. RETIREMENT MUST BE REPORTED!!!

 

Records: Steve Littler 2:03:13 (2008) and Gill Laithwaite (Border) 2:33:16 (2009)

 

Venue: The Sports Pavilion, Fitz Park, Keswick

 

Scenery: 10 Outstanding

 

Do it again: Yes – I’ve done it 7 (+ a half) times!  (I did half the course once when I wasn’t fully fit)

 

Value: 10 £5 to enter and you receive 2 gels plus as much soup, tea and biscuits you want after the race, showers and they even find money from somewhere for prizes. This race is like a breath of fresh air – organised by runners for runners, with the sole aim of breaking even!!!???

 

Organisation: 10

 

PB potential: N/A

 

Atmosphere: 10 no spectators to speak of except for Wesham wives shouting out of the car window! Only 68 finishers in the race, but if you love the Lakes and you’ve got a marathon planned, do it! (2 runners dropped out)

 

Beginner Friendly: 0!!! 2 severe climbs up Honister Pass and Newlands Pass

   

 

I sent Russ a text at 7am to see if he wanted a lift, but he didn’t get it till 8:30! (We set off at 8). Had to top up with power steering fluid and oil before we set off (I need to speak to Mr Earnshaw)

 

Decided to drive up through the Lakes, rather than motorway to Penrith. Must have set off at the same time as Steve Littler as he was behind me on the A6 till we got on the motorway. Parked up behind Fitz Park, next to the old Railway Station (Beeching has a lot to answer for!) and the swimming pool. Must remember trunks and towel next year. It might do my poor aching muscles some good? I believe there is a movement to re-open the Keswick Penrith line, but I can’t see it happening.

 

Played football with Levon for a while. He had a new Blackpool FC ball which seemed as heavy as a medicine ball! As the race was starting, Linda and Mike (their dog), Levon and Bev set off round the course in their car.

 

I was chatting to Steve Jackson (Preston Harriers) who was staying up at Keswick, but couldn’t run due to a chest infection. I felt for him.

 

I had received a text from Pete Cruse, “Done a long run this week. I’m going to take it easy on Sunday, so I’ll run with you!” Grrrrrrrrrrr!!! I know he probably sent the same text to all and sundry!

 

Simon Eaton, Pete and I all set off at a steady pace. Steve Littler seemed to be way out in front straight away. We were perhaps half way down the field in the middle of quite a large group and it felt a bit strange and for once I resisted the urge to go faster as there was a long, long way to go and I wasn’t sure how last weeks cold would affect me. After about 7 miles, the dreaded Honister Pass came into view. Pete and I attacked it and managed to run all the way up to the slate mine. We overtook a few on the way up, but the majority overtook us again and put some considerable distance on us. We were chatting to a guy from Swindon and Pete said he fancied joining them because he liked their vest! We chatted about Swindon Town and their star man of yesteryear, Don Rogers.(He scored 2 goals in the League Cup Final against Arsenal in 1969). I put the breaks on going down as it was really steep and I knew of an Italian cyclist that had crashed on this bit and died!! Simon caught us back up at the burger van at Buttermere!

We took a gel each in preparation for the climb up Newlands and it seemed to work – Pete and I made it to the top without walking (spurred on again by the noisy Wesham wives!). Simon stopped for a banana. Newlands is usually a lot colder than the Honister side and this year was no exception. I was glad of my gloves. In 2005 the top of Newlands was iced over and cars were struggling to get up it.

 

We ran towards the old purple House (there’s the start of a new structure now as the old house burned down in 2008). We met up with Pete’s girlfriend, Bev for the last 7 miles. (Linda had dropped her off by the last drinks station). Pete decided to stop for a pee and Bev and I carried on. I could here voices. It was Simon getting closer. I thought he had done really well as a couple of weeks ago, Simon turned back at the Gynn when a gang of us were going for a long run. Perhaps he just fancied a pint of Thwaites? 

 

We passed a zig zag downhill bit by a farm where Pete slipped on ice and broke his wrist in 2008 (hope I’m not putting people off!!)

 

We got onto the outskirts of Keswick and the 2nd lady went past us. I think she thought Bev was in the race. Pete and I held hands as we went over the finish line (must confess that was my idea) in 2:54:25 (38th and 39th and ¾ an hour behind Steve Litter)

 

1st Steve Littler 2:09:40 (Steve has won it 7 times and come 2nd twice)

1st Lady (9th overall) Gill Laithwaite (Border) 2:35:27

 

14th Steve Myerscough 2:39:18 (ran X country yesterday at Hyndburn!!)

24th Pete Waywell 2:42:49

38th Martin Bates 2:54:25

42nd Simon Eaton 2:56:20

46th Graham Cunliffe 2:59:32

56th Nigel Shepherd 3:16:00

58th Russ Mabbett 3:18:08

 

For Anorak Man

Mile splits:

7:22, 7:08, 7:23, 7:11, 8:08,  7:37,  7:26, 10:42, 8:48, 7:18, 7:38, 8:15, 9:18, 10:42, 7:56, 8:45, 7:49, 7:12, 8:09,  7:53, 8:16, 3:45

 

The two 10:42’s are the 2 passes and the 7:12 at the 18th mile must have been when I heard Simon coming!!!

 

Link to photos:- http://3276.e-printphoto.co.uk/ts/index.cfm?z=z&action=newsearch&keywords=&searchtype=pics&c_id=140671

 

Went home via the Coledale Inn, the Wateredge Hotel (which is unfortunately still shut due to floods) and the Watermill.

 

Written by: Martin Bates

Submitted: 18th February 2010

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor