Some of the fittest police officers in the UK will be taking part in the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon this year.
60 officers from forces across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be among the 1,000 runners on the starting line for Britain’s Most Beautiful Marathon on Sunday October 8.
They are tackling the 26 mile course set around Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Reservoir as part of the Police Sport UK (PSUK) Police Marathon Championships. A competition that is run by Police Sport UK Athletics section and that is aimed at providing officers and staff an opportunity to participate at all levels whilst showcasing the fittest and fastest Police athletes.
Cops from forces including Police Scotland, PSNI, Cheshire, Devon and Cornwall, North Wales, Essex and West Mids will all be taking part and there is also representation from local forces too with Northumbria, Cleveland and Cumbria officers competing.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Inspector Katherine Willoughby is on the committee for Police Sport UK and has been overseeing this year’s Marathon Championships. She said: “Police Sport UK is about providing police officers and staff with opportunities to get involved in all kinds of different sports on a level playing field and using sport as a health benefit as well as supporting those at higher levels.
“The Marathon Championships is a well-established and well-respected competition and is a chance for the very best runners and athletes in the policing family to put themselves to the test and there is no better location for us to hold it than in the magnificent surroundings of Kielder.
“We have some very talented runners coming up for the event and I know they are really looking forward to experiencing everything that Britain’s most beautiful marathon has to offer.”
The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2017 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.
Race director Steve Cram said: “We′re delighted that PSUK has chosen the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon as their marathon championship for 2017.
“Kielder Marathon′s appeal is well known and its unique challenges will no doubt provide a stern test for their annual event which I′m sure they′re all well equipped for.”
One of the officers taking part in the marathon will be Steve Cairns from Police Scotland.
People may remember Steve because he was the runner who was correctly awarded the bronze medal in 2011 after it was found that the original third place finisher had cheated his way around the course by using a bus.
After the cheating incident was exposed, Steve Cram journeyed to Edinburgh to rightly present Steve Cairns with his bronze medal.
Steve Cram added: “It’s fantastic to see Steve returning to the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon and wish him well in his championship race.”
The police marathon runners won’t be the only officers at Kielder Marathon weekend this year.
Race organisers have recruited Northumbria Police cadets and Mini Police as volunteers to help keep the weekend’s activities running smoothly.
They will be working with event staff on both days of the Marathon; directing runners and spectators, marshalling events and speaking with the general public.
There are still volunteer opportunities available for Kielder Marathon Weekend with Events of the North looking for people to help with water stations, start and finish duties, photography, course marshals and race gurus.
Events of the North provides all volunteers with an event jacket, refreshments, and all of the support that they need on the day to undertake the role successfully.
Anyone interested in volunteering and being part of the weekend should email volunteers@eventsofthenorth.com.
Entries for all events are almost full with limited numbers only left and anyone wishing to secure their place is urged to do so quickly by visiting www.kieldermarathon.com.