Day one of the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend is complete, with more than one thousand competitors taking part in the first two events of Britain’s most beautiful marathon.
Around 2,500 visitors, competitors and spectators descended on to Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside site for the 10k and Run Bike Run events today (October 7) and were treated to a fantastic day of entertainment and athleticism.
The marathon weekend is in its eighth year and is run by Events of the North, a company led by Olympians Steve Cram and Allison Curbishley, in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, and Northumberland County Council.
In the Kielder 10k more than 1,000 people took on ‘the bull’, which is set around the stunning Bull Crag Peninsula of Kielder Water, and winning in a fantastic time of 33 minutes 56 seconds was Tyne Bridge Harrier Marc Fenwick.
In second place was Morpeth Harrier John Butters (34mins 30secs) and third was Jake Masterman (35mins 5 secs).
The winning 10k woman was Morpeth Harrier Gemma Floyd with a fantastic 39minutes 47 seconds.
Second was Sunderland Harrier Nicola Woodward (43mins 41secs) and third was South Shields Harrier Rachel Breheny (43 mins 53 secs).
Meanwhile the Kielder Run-Bike-Run saw more than 240 individuals and 35 teams tackle the marathon distance split into three parts.
Individuals, or teams of three, competed in an 11km run, a 26km bike ride and a 5km run that takes in the whole distance around the reservoir.
The overall individual winner of RBR was Chris Smith (for with a second year running) with a record time of 1 hour 58 minutes.
Second place was Steven Sims (2 hours 7 minutes) and third was Steven Brennan (2 hours 12 minutes).
The fastest female in Run Bike Run was Sam Crooks (2 hours 27 minutes).
Second place was Bev Martin (2 hours 29 minutes) and in third was Renell Brennan (2 hours 33 minutes).
The winning Run Bike Run team was ‘Once we were rugby players’ who finished the course in 2 hours 5 minutes.
Tomorrow (Sunday October 8), around 2,000 runners are set to follow the off-road course around northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water in either the main marathon itself or the half marathon event.
Billed as ‘Britain’s most beautiful’, the full weekend of events attracts runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic setting and unique course.
Allison Curbishley, from event organisers Events of the North, said: “What a way to start the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend. The 10k and Run Bike Run events have gone beyond all of our expectations and it’s been fantastic to see so many happy faces and delighted athletes here at Kielder Waterside.
“The weather has been fantastic for the runners and spectators and everything behind the scenes has gone smoothly. It’s been an amazing day one and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.”
Kielder 10k - Results
Male
1. Marc Fenwick – Tyne Bridge Harriers – 33 mins 56 seconds
2. John Butters – Morpeth Harriers – 34 mins 30 seconds
3. Jake Masterman – 35 mins 05 seconds
Female
1. Gemma Floyd – Morpeth Harriers – 39 mins 47 seconds
2. Nicola Woodward – Sunderland Harriers – 43 mins 41 seconds
3. Rachel Breheny – South Shields Harriers – 43 mins 53 seconds
Run Bike Run - Results
Male
1. Chris Smith – 1 hour 58 minutes 5 seconds
2. Steven Sims – 2 hours 7 minutes 9 seconds
3. Steven Brennan – 2 hours 12 minutes 58 seconds
Female
1. Sam Crooks – 2 hours 27 minutes 41 seconds
2. Bev Martin – 2 hours 29 minutes 27 seconds
3. Renell Brennan – 2 hours 33 minutes 19 seconds
Teams
1. Once We Were Rugby Players – 2 hours 5 minutes 53 seconds
2. Sedgefield Specials – 2 hours 7 minutes 18 seconds
3. Powered By Gas – 2 hours 11 minutes 29 seconds