Kielder Marathon brings out thousands of runners to country's 'most beautiful race'
08 Oct 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
With more than 1350 runners taking on the Kielder Marathon and Kielder Half Marathon, and a further 94 in the Junior races, adding to those in the 10k and Run Bike Run on Saturday, a total of around 3500 took part across the weekend making it the best attended event since 2019.
The event took place at Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside Park, with the backdrop of the stunning Kielder Reservoir.
The Marathon winner was Russell Maddams from Keswick, who crossed the finish line in just 2h 49m 05s and in doing so he became the Marathon’s most decorated winner winning his fourth Kielder Marathon after winning in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Lucy Custance from North Shields Polytechnic Club was the first female through, in 3h 18m and 37s
John Butters was the winner of the Half Marathon, finishing in 1h 19m 38s, while the first female was Sarah Kerr of Claremont Road Runners. She crossed the line in 1h 28m and 43s
Steve Cram of Events of the North comments: “It was fantastic to return to pre-Covid levels of participation during the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend. Every event sold out this year, which I think is a first, and it was brilliant to welcome around 3,500 athletes and plenty of spectators to this beautiful corner of the world.
“It was a great pleasure to welcome Arthur Scott on his 100th birthday, to start the marathon and cheer on his granddaughter and nephew in the half marathon. Stories like that, and the many others that crop up every year, help make this event really special.”
The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Northumberland County Councillor, Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Health Lives said: “The Kielder Marathon weekend is fantastic for the county, the surrounding rural businesses and for the many charities that will benefit through fundraising.”
“It has been great to see so many competitors taking part and to welcome visitors from around the country to Northumberland. Kielder is such a beautiful setting and as always, the atmosphere over the weekend has been fantastic.”
Mark Warnes, Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: " Well done to everyone taking part in events this weekend. It was great to see so many Active Northumberland members getting involved. Today saw marathon stars of the future taking part in junior runs and half and full marathon runners tackling one of Britain's most beautiful routes."
David Hall, Head of Commercial Strategy and Transformation at Northumbrian Water, said: "It’s been truly fantastic to witness the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon once again at Kielder Waterside. The weekend creates magical memories for thousands of runners and spectators and we can’t wait to welcome people back next year. We are also thrilled to have the inaugural trees planted as part of the new ‘winners row’ on our Beeches Walk from our marathon winners”
“On behalf of everyone at Northumbrian Water, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has made this magnificent weekend so special once again.”
To see highlights from the weekend including pictures, videos and interviews visit Northumberland County Council's Facebook page here.
Race information
Marathon
1st male – Russell Maddams, Keswick AC, 2h 49m 05s
2nd male – Ste Lord, 2h 59m 01s
3rd male – Christopher Fothergill, Darlington H & AC, 3h 02m 47s
1st female – Lucie Custance, North Shields Polytechnic Club, 3h 18m 37s
2nd female – Amy Mckechnie, Queensbury Running Club, 3h 25m 55s
3rd female – Heather Hatton, 3h 25m 56s
Half Marathon
1st male – John Butters, Morpeth Harriers & AC, 1h 19m 38s
2nd male – Sam Green, Wharfedale Harriers, 1h 21m 22s
3rd male – Rob Kleiser, 1h 21m 32s
1st female – Sarah Kerr, Claremont Road Runners, 1h 28m 38s
2nd female – Isabel Hessey, 1h 30m 51s
3rd female – Claire Mcmanus, North Shields Polytechnic Club, 1h 33m 57s
Junior Races
Osprey (under 11)
Male
1st Zach Harrison, 4m 44s
2nd Theodore Tipping, 4m 58s
3rd Robert Smith, 5m 01s
Female
1st Alice Maddams, 5m 25s
2nd Emily Carver 5m 26s
3rd Beth Davies 5m 30
Falcon (under 16)
Male
1st Jonas Tipping, 6m 46s
2nd Miguel Ribeiro, 7m 36s
3rd Rodrigo Ribeiro, 7m 53s
Female
1st Lydia Atkinson, 8m 03s
2nd Martha Thomas, 8m 04s
3rd Niamh Adams, 8m 08s