Keep On Running

I ran the Kielder Marathon on Sunday. My finishing time was a bit of a disappointment at 5:23:24 but after the first few miles I knew I wouldn’t be breaking any records. The course is described as “undulating” in the publicity,and the signs around the course saying “Steep Incline” and Steep Decline” weren’t lying. The switchback route zig zagging up a “mountain” at around the 20 mile mark was particularly taxing.


I completed the half marathon distance in 2:20- which is what I was aiming for. I had run a disciplined race thus far. I hadn’t set off too fast.Unlike my only previous Marathon in Manchester 10 years ago when I completed halfway in a record breaking (for me) 1:55 and paid the price in the final third. I knew I would slow down in the second half but did not anticipate how much the hills were taking out of me and how much my legs would hurt.

My run/walk strategy turned, in this part of the race into a walk and occasionally run strategy. As it turned out many other runners were in the same situation and at times the course was more like a walking event rather than a running one. I was aching and my IT band in my left leg was causing me some considerable distress especially around the knee and big toe areas. I had to stop three of four times to stretch it out to get some relief. The pictures of me approaching the finish line are not particularly flattering as I look, to be frank, old and knackered. And I was.

Did I enjoy it? Will I do it again? Yes and possibly yes. It’s billed as Britain’s “most scenic” and at one point between 15 and 17 miles the scenery was breathtaking. Otherwise the driving rain and wind sort of dampened my enthusiasm for it as a spectacle and the weather conditions ramped it up as an endurance event. It was without doubt the most challenging physical thing I have ever done and I feel proud of myself for having completed it.

There were nice touches at the end,- a silver space blanket wrapped round you as you entered the finisher's Marquee. Good quality T shirts, towels, goody bag and a bunch of bananas (!) were given to you as you walked through to collect your baggage.Someone hung the medal around your neck and massages were available as were tea and coffee and cake from Falstone Village WI. My wife can recommend their Lemon Drizzle cake.Organisation wise it was as good as it could be bearing in mind the remote location.

We stayed in nearby Bellingham at the Riverdale Hall Country House Hotel. That was nice if a bit pricey. Food and service were excellent.