Star names join thousands of runners to celebrate 15th anniversary of ‘Britain’s most beautiful’ marathon

One of the country’s best loved running events will celebrate its 15th anniversary next weekend with sold out races and a star studded line-up of participants. Known as ‘Britain’s most beautiful,’ the Altra Kielder Marathon returns on 4 and 5 October, based at Kielder Water and Forest in the heart of Northumberland National Park. Among the runners will be long distance icon Paula Radcliffe, TV stars Nell McAndrew and Sophie Raworth, and Olympic gold medal winner Eve Muirhead. They will be joined by 10 ever-present Kielder marathoners, and around 3,800 others, to tackle two days of events that include the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, junior runs and a gravel duathlon (run-bike-run), all of which are either full or almost fully booked.

Founded in 2010, the Altra Kielder Marathon is organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Northumbrian Water, Forestry England, Northumberland County Council, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and official charity partner 4Louis. Other partners include Team Cycles, High 5, SG Petch and RUNNA. This year, the event has been working with Altra and not-for-profit women’s running club BOLDLI, who have launches ‘Stay Out There: She Runs Free,’ an initiative that aims to improve and promote safety, security and companionship fro women who run. Championed by Paula Radcliffe, Nell McAndrew, Sophie Raworth and Eve Muirhead, Stay Out There: She Runs Free recruited a team from across the UK, who embarked on a shared training journey, culminating in their participation at events during the Kielder Marathon weekend.

On Saturday 4 October, Nell McAndrew and her nephew Cole will take on the Kielder 10K, alongside Paula Radcliffe’s son Raphael. Meanwhile, Eve Muirhead will tackle the Kielder Gravel Duathlon, a 10K run, followed by a 34K bike ride, and concluding with a 6.4K run. On Sunday 5 October, Paula Radcliffe and Sophie Raworth will run the Kielder Half Marathon, along with Sophie’s daughter Ella. Among the runners in the Kielder Marathon will be 10 participants who have taken part every year.

Thanks to the support of sports brand Altra, there will be additional activities during the 2025 Kielder Marathon weekend, but around the course and in the runner village near the start and finish line. These will include talks by Paula Radcliffe and Eve Muirhead on the Saturday evening.

Paula Radcliffe comments: “Stay Out There: She Runs Free is more than just an initiative. It’s a call to action to ensure that women get everything that they deserve when they’re out running and training, in terms of safety, security and companionship. It’s been brilliant working with Eve, Nell and Sophie to promote the project and I’m really excited about meeting up with them and the other women who have taken part, to run in such a beautiful place during Kielder Marathon weekend.”

Event founder Steve Cram comments: “Fifteen years have flown by, but in that time Altra Kielder Marathon weekend has grown into one of the best events on the calendar. It’s always a privilege to host the races in such a stunning location and we’re very grateful to Northumbrian Water, Northumberland County Council and all of our partners for making that possible. We’re delighted that Stay Out There: She Runs Free has been such a success, and that Paula, Nell, Sophie and Eve will be joined by so many other women – and quite a few men and youngsters too – to be part of what is going to be another great weekend.”

For more information about the Kielder Marathon Weekend visit www.kieldermarathon.com or find the event on social media.