Kielder marathon weekend brings something for everyone, drawing together a 10K and Run Bike Run on Saturday 12 October, and full, half marathon and junior races on Sunday 13 October.
Marathon runner in 2018, Becky ran a personal best alongside her brother in law while her triplets (pictured above) also had what she described as an ‘awesome day’ taking part in the Junior Races.
Becky’s example was not unusual, with Philippa Graham’s family also making it a family affair. Philippa has taken part in seven previous Run Bike Runs, her husband has ran in five Kielder Marathons, and both of their children have taken part in three Osprey junior races - once with a broken collar bone!
Joanne Davies also told us, “I ran Kielder 10k in 2017 with my husband, we were newly married and Chris had decided to give running ago. This was his first 10k.
"Chris was born with a heart condition which means running does not come easy to him. He completed it though, and went on to run Great North Run in 2018 as well as Kielder 10k again.
"Our son Cadeyrn now 12, ran the junior runs in 2017 and 2018. I ran my first marathon in Kielder in 2018, which I did with my sister Andrea by my side the whole way. Andrea has ran many Kielder events. This year myself and Andrea are running the half marathon, Chris the 10k and Cadeyrn the junior run.”
The variety of events on offer at Kielder means families have often taken part in all of them, including Jo Robson who has run in the 10K, half and full marathon and hopes to compete in the Run Bike Run this year, while her son has also completed the junior race.
Dave Ailano, an ever present marathon runner at Kielder has also taken part over the years with his son, wife, brother and brother in law! The Falkous family are another example, between them completing both junior categories, the marathon and half.
Sarah Langdon is returning to Kielder this year after a great experience with her family in 2018. She told us: “My Mum and Step-dad did the Run Bike Run on the Saturday – with my Mum running and Step-dad cycling. My cousin did the 10k on the Saturday.
"We watched and followed the Run Bike Run round. Then on the Sunday, myself and my fiancé did the Marathon. We were only meant to do the Half Marathon but I thought he had entered us, while he thought I had entered us and by the time we realised that neither of us had entered – it had sold out! So with 3 weeks to go we decided to enter the Marathon.
"We’re all going again as a family this year for what is a brilliant weekend.”
There are so many chances to get everyone involved, not least as volunteers. Louise Golightly’s family volunteered as a whole family in 2017 while Lesley Falkous marshalled with her son Evan, while her husband was racing too.
If you’d like to double up by lending a hand, just drop an email to volunteers@eventsofthenorth.com to express an interest in joining the crew for 2019.
For more information about the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend of Events, please see www.kieldermarathon.com