Keswick Half Marathon
Anne Cheeseman completed the Keswick Half Marathon on Sunday, a road race that is a circuit of Derwentwater with a loop into the Newlands Valley, and described as possibly the hardest half marathon but one of the most scenic in the country. Anne describes her race below:
Conditions were cool to warm for running, although breezy at times too. The first half of the race had some very challenging uphills, which I mostly walked, and then ran hard but controlled on the downhills. This meant a lot of pace variance, (7m28s on mile 5, followed by over 11mins on the next mile, then a 8m15s,) which I found testing, and contributed towards the total 1,530 feet elevation gain on my watch. It was certainly worth it though, as the views were spectacular, and turning around on some of the uphills and slowing to enjoy and take in the views added more than a few seconds to my time! Eventually we were running along the lakeside back towards Keswick, although the roads weren’t closed, so some care was needed in overtaking other runners. Still lovely views, and whilst the big uphills were behind, the long inclines weren’t easy on tired legs, but I managed to register a more consistent slight progression pace, having saved a little energy with all my walking earlier in the race. Into Keswick and the finish over grass at the Rugby Club. I had 1hr 59m 26s on my watch, gun time was 2hr 00m 18s, which I was very happy with. I finished 361 out of 683 that completed it, second lady in V55 category. No chip timing. Enthusiastic support around the course, good marshalling, water in cups about every 3 miles, camaraderie with other runners, lovely atmosphere at the end with many families and runners staying to enjoy refreshments and encourage finishers. T-shirt, bottled water, biscuits, banana/apple for finishers.