Race preview: 15km Derwentwater Trail - Saturday September 3, 2011
Just over 1000 competitors from as far afield as Australia, USA, Holland, Germany, France, Belgium and Ireland will be running in the 15km Derwentwater Trail, starting and finishing in Keswick on Saturday 3rd September. The course has been described as "the most scenic race in Britain" by Runnersworld magazine, and takes competitors on a well marked and marshalled trail along the old railway line towards Threlkeld, then high into the hanging valley of Glenderaterra, before returning around Lonscale Fell and by the side of Latrigg.
Fresh from her recent victory in last weekend's Swiss International Matterhornlauf, GB International, Sarah Tunstall, from Kendal AC, will start as the favourite for the women's title. Sarah is almost back to full fitness after injury, and will be pushed hard by Vic Wilkinson, Bingley Harriers, and last year's winner Pippa Maddams, from Keswick AC. The men's race will also be a mouth watering affair, with last year's top three all back again to do battle : Nick Swinburn, Morpeth Harriers, Matt Whitfield, Bingley Harriers and Russell Maddams, Keswick AC
The event is supporting Official Charity Partners Cancer Care, North West Air Ambulance, Fix The Fells and Keswick Football Club.
A family friendly festival atmosphere is guaranteed at the finish venue of Fitz Park in Keswick, with delicious local food stalls, children's entertainments including face painting, bouncy castle, climbing wall and fun runs (start 12.30pm); retail and trade stands, PA commentary with MC, bar and live music from the Segretta Stompers New Orleans Jazz Band throughout the day, and a performance by singer / songwriter Pete Lashley for an hour before the prize giving (3.30pm-4.30pm).
See the event website www.lakelandtrails.org for full details
The event partners include PUMA, High 5, R and R Photos, Ay Up Lights, Pete Bland Sports, Trailrunning.co.uk and Sleepmonsters.com.
This is the fifth consecutive Lakeland Trails event of the year to sell out, and the next event in Coniston on 1st October is almost full. The final two Lakeland Trails events for 2011 , the "Dirty Double" are being staged at Glenridding on the 5th & 6th November. Saturday's event includes the 15km Helvellyn Trail and a new 10km Helvellyn Trail; Sunday's finale event features a half hour cruise aboard the Ullswater Steamer "Raven" to the start in Howtown, before competitors take to the 13km Ullswater Trail along the most picturesque lakeside trail in the UK, back to the finish in Glenridding.
