Keswick Half Marathon 2015

[Sun 3rd May]

The Keswick Half Marathon took place on Sunday 3rd May 2015 and was the 3rd race in this year’s Grand Prix. Despite the travelling distance and various other running events taking place on the same Bank Holiday weekend, 10 BRC runners made the journey west to the Lake District.

The weather that morning was appalling and the added complication of the boat journey to the start made things a little more difficult than expected; that said the arrangements made by the race organisers worked very well. As the 11:30 start approached the bad weather abated, making for clear conditions for the race ahead.

Although I’m told the course has been simplified over the last few years, the first 4 miles of gradual climbing were a bit of an effort and a steeper incline at around the 5.5 mile mark was definitely a challenge. At the top of that hill however, the course changed to a mostly downhill gradient leading onto the main ‘undulating’ road back into Keswick. There was also good support en route from BRC members Martin Gaughan, Mal Darbyshire and Steve Gillespie who happened to be in Keswick for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Sam Dodd had a great race and was first back for Blyth with a magnificent 12th place overall and a time close to his half marathon PB. Next back was Robbie Barkley with a good performance. Ian Baxter was first back in Division 2 to claim maximum points for the 3rd GP race in succession. Shaun Dodd was next to finish, 4 seconds ahead of Steven French, the gap might have been closer had it not been for an untimely slip by Steven in the last 100m.

Claire Calverly finished as the first Blyth lady and took max points in Division 3. Claire Mason and Louise Rawlinson were next to finish taking 1st and 2nd place points in Division 4 followed by Joanne Stobbart claiming maximum points in division 5. Also a special mention for newcomer Lesley Falkous, who although not in the GP ran a solid time on a tough course.

Steven