Race preview: Kielder Run Bike Run - Saturday October 8, 2011
A winning relay team has overcome a “Florida jinx” and is back in the running to defend their title.
At last year’s Kielder Run Bike Run, a team of Gentoo employees powered over the finish line in first place and hoped to repeat the challenge again this year. But trouble with an Achilles for one of its members almost scuppered their plans.
Brian Bewick, (46) from Silksworth, had been in Florida for his daughter’s wedding. He said: “I completed a five kilometre road race while I was in the USA and then had trouble with my Achilles heel ever since. We had hoped to enter the Kielder Run Bike Run sooner but it was touch and go whether I’d be fit enough.”
Now on the mend and raring to go again, Brian and colleagues Steven Gordon (39) and John Turner (38) both from Houghton will be back to defend their title on Saturday 8 October at Kielder Water & Forest Park.
Photo: Steve Cram MBE with last year’s winning Kielder Run Bike Run team
Former Olympic athlete and event organiser, Steve Cram MBE, said: “The Run Bike Run is the relay event that takes place over the Salomon Kielder Marathon weekend of activities. We’re delighted to welcome back last year’s winners. They completed the course in 2:05:15. I challenge anyone – corporate teams, families or individuals - to enter this year and beat that time, it was superb!”
Steven Gordon added: “I’m sure someone can beat our time this year. In fact we’re not in it to win it - we just love the challenge of the race itself and the spectacular destination in the heart of Northumberland.”
The Kielder Run Bike Run, sponsored this year by redspottedhanky.com, gives teams of three (or individuals) the chance to tackle the Lakeside Way, the Kielder Marathon course route that encircles the shoreline of northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, in three stages. First, an 11k run, second a 26km cycle ride and finally 5km sprint.
Teams can enter under the following categories – corporate, family or open.
The relay race takes place on Saturday 8 October and there is also a 10k race on the same day. The main marathon event and children’s races are on Sunday 9 October 2011.
To enter the Kielder 10K, the Kielder Run-Bike-Run or the Kielder Junior Runs go to www.redspottedhankykielder10k.com or call 0845 155 0236 (between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday)
Northumbrian Water is once again hosting the events which will be jointly organised by Extra Mile Media & Events and Roberts and Partners. Dave Roberts, who heads up Roberts and Partners, was a co-founder of the Great North Run.
Kielder Water & Forest Park, which spans 250 square miles, is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in northern Europe. It was voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. For more information, go to www.visitkielder.com.
