The Kielder Marathon, held in Northumberland, England, is one of the most scenic running events in the world, with a course that winds around the Kielder Water and Forest Park. The marathon is one of the most popular events on the UK running calendar, with participants from all over the world coming to take on the challenge. In this article, we will take a brief look at the history of the Kielder Marathon, from its beginnings to the present day.
The first Kielder Marathon took place in 2010, and was the brainchild of Steve Cram, the former Olympic athlete and BBC commentator. Cram was born and raised in the Northumberland area and had long dreamed of organising a marathon that would showcase the beauty of the local landscape. With the help of a team of volunteers and the support of Northumberland County Council, Cram’s dream became a reality.
The inaugural Kielder Marathon was a great success, with 954 participants taking part. The course was tough, with steep climbs and descents, but the stunning scenery made it all worthwhile. The winner of the first race was Ross Houston, with a winning time of 2:29:09. The first female finisher was Joasia Zakrzewski, with a time of 2:56:01.
The success of the first marathon encouraged Cram to make the event a regular fixture on the UK running calendar. In 2011, the Kielder Marathon was joined by the Kielder Half Marathon, and together the two races attracted over 2,200 runners. The course for the half marathon was less challenging than the full marathon, but still took in some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.
Over the years, the Kielder Marathon has grown in popularity, and has become a favourite with runners from all walks of life. The event has attracted some of the biggest names in long-distance running, including elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. The course record for the men’s race is currently held by Ethiopian Tadele Geremew, who completed the course in 2:18:06 in 2016. The women’s course record is held by Alyson Dixon, who finished in 2:36:42 in 2011.
The Kielder Marathon has also become a popular event for charity runners, who use the race as an opportunity to raise money for a variety of good causes. In 2018, over £150,000 was raised for charity, with runners taking part in memory of loved ones, or to support charities that are close to their hearts. Steve Cram has praised the efforts of the charity runners, saying: “It just shows what an amazing community of people we have in the UK who want to make a difference to the lives of others.”
One of the things that sets the Kielder Marathon apart from other races is the scenery. The course winds its way around the Kielder Water and Forest Park, which is the largest man-made forest in northern Europe. The area is teeming with wildlife, and runners can expect to see everything from red squirrels to ospreys as they make their way around the course.
Another unique feature of the Kielder Marathon is its sustainability. The event is committed to minimising its carbon footprint, and has been awarded the highest level of environmental accreditation by the Council for Responsible Sport. The organisers work hard to ensure that the event has a minimal impact on the environment, and encourage participants to be eco-friendly by using public transport, recycling their waste, and reducing their carbon emissions.
The future looks bright for the Kielder Marathon, which has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s premier running events. The race is set to return in 2021, after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and organisers are expecting another sell-out event. The race will take place on Sunday 3rd of October, and participants can choose between the full marathon, the half marathon, or the run bike run event.
The Kielder Marathon is a race that has captured the hearts and minds of runners from all over the world. Its stunning scenery, challenging course, and commitment to sustainability make it a truly unique event. As Steve Cram himself has said, “We’re not just a run, we’re a celebration of what can be achieved.”