A Marathon effort as ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful’ returns in style

Plans for the 13th Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend began in earnest shortly after the twelfth anniversary event drew to a close…

and today (Sunday 8th October), 12 months on, battling through the soaked terrain thousands of runners turned out in force to mark the incredible feat.

With more than 1350 runners taking on the Kielder Marathon and Kielder Half Marathon, and a further 94 in the Junior races, adding to those in the 10k and Gravel Duathlon on Saturday, a total of around 3500 took part across the weekend, making it the best attended event since 2019.

The event took place at Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside Park, with the backdrop of the stunning Kielder Reservoir.

The Marathon winner was Russell Maddams from Keswick, who crossed the finish line in just 2h 49m 05s and in doing so he became the Marathon’s most decorated winner winning his fourth Kielder Marathon after winning in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Lucie Custance from North Shields Polytechnic Club was the first female through, in 3h 18m and 37s.

John Butters was the winner of the Half Marathon, finishing in 1h 19m 38s, while the first female was Sarah Kerr of Claremont Road Runners. She crossed the line in 1h 28m and 43s.

Steve Cram of Events of the North comments: “It was fantastic to return to pre-Covid levels of participation during the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend. Every event sold out this year, which I think is a first, and it was brilliant to welcome around 3,500 athletes and plenty of spectators to this beautiful corner of the world.”

“It was a great pleasure to welcome Arthur Scott on his 100th birthday, to start the marathon and cheer on his granddaughter and nephew in the half marathon. Stories like that, and the many others that crop up every year, help make this event really special.”

The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Northumberland County Councillor, Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Health Lives said:

“The Kielder Marathon is fantastic for the county, the surrounding rural businesses and for the many charities that will benefit through fundraising.”

“It has been great to see so many competitors taking part and to welcome visitors from around the country to Northumberland. Kielder is such a beautiful setting and as always, the atmosphere over the weekend has been fantastic.”

Mark Warnes, Chief Executive of Active Northumberland said: “Well done to everyone taking part in events this weekend. It was great to see so many Active Northumberland members getting involved. Today saw marathon stars of the future taking part in junior runs and half and full marathon runners tackling one of Britain’s most beautiful routes.”

David Hall, Head of Commercial Strategy and Transformation at Northumbrian Water, said: “It’s been truly fantastic to witness the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon once again at Kielder Waterside. The weekend creates magical memories for thousands of runners and spectators and we can’t wait to welcome people back next year. We are also thrilled to have the inaugural trees planted as part of the new ‘winner’s row’ on our Beeches Walk from our marathon winners.”

“On behalf of everyone at Northumbrian Water, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has made this magnificent weekend so special once again.”

To see highlights from the weekend including pictures, videos and interviews, visit Northumbrian Water’s Facebook page and Twitter account (@NorthumbrianH2O)

Race Information

Marathon

1st Male – Russell Maddams, Keswick AC, 2h 49m 05s

2nd Male – Ste Lord, 2h 59m 01s

3rd Male – Christopher Fothergill, Darlington H & AC, 3h 02m 47s

1st Female – Lucie Custance, North Shields Polytechnic Club, 3h 18m 37s

2nd Female – Amy Mckechnie, Queensbury Running Club, 3h 25m 55s

3rd Female – Heather Hatton, 3h 25m 56s

Half Marathon

1st Male – John Butters, Morpeth Harriers & AC, 1h 19m 38s

2nd Male – Sam Green, Wharfedale Harriers, 1h 21m 22s

3rd Male – Rob Kleiser, 1h 21m 32s

1st Female – Sarah Kerr, Claremont Road Runners, 1h 28m 38s

2nd Female – Isabel Hessey, 1h 30m 51s

3rd Female – Claire Mcmanus, North Shields Polytechnic Club, 1h 33m 57s

Junior Races

Osprey (U11)

1st Male – Zach Harrison, 4m 44s

2nd Male – Theodore Tipping, 4m 58s

3rd Male – Robert Smith, 5m 01s

1st Female – Alice Maddams, 5m 25s

2nd Female – Emily Carver, 5m 26s

3rd Female – Beth Davies, 5m 30s

Falcon (U16)

1st Male – Jonas Tipping, 6m 46s

2nd Male – Miguel Ribeiro, 7m 36s

3rd Male – Rodrigo Ribeiro, 7m 53s

1st Female – Lydia Atkinson, 8m 03s

2nd Female – Martha Thomas, 8m 04s

3rd Female – Niamh Adams, 8m 08s