This famous race was run on Saturday August 4th in perfect conditions, warm and dry and, for once, reasonably dry underfoot too. The demanding route is 17miles with 6,500 feet of ascent taking the runners from Rossthwaite on to Bessy Boots, skirting Glaramara and Allen Crags to reach Scafell Pike via Esk Hause. The return route is along the corridor to Sty Head Tarn, Great Gable and across to Honister, Dale Head and back into Rosthwaite.
The race turned into a three way tussle at the front of the pack with Ricky Lightfoot coming home first in 2.51.59 followed closely by local Carl Bell with Josh Jardine in third place. It was no surprise that Jasmin Paris won the ladies race in 3.32.48 in spite of having missed last year’s race to give birth to her daughter. Kate Marriot had an excellent run for KAC to come 5th but most of the other Keswick ladies were out supporting Vic Haworth on her Bob Graham run.
Keswick men (Carl Bell, Mark Lamb and Callum Tinnion) won the team prize followed by Borrowdale. There was also a special presentation of a beautiful photograph of Borrowdale which went to the first Borrowdale runer home, Ted Ferguson. It was presented by the Bland family in memory of Stuart Bland who died recently. Like his brother Billy, he was a very talented runner and all the runners on Saturday appreciated Billy’s support on the race and his presentation of the prizes. This race is heavily sponsored by the Scafell Hotel and Rathbones of Keswick and thanks to them from all the runners. Also a big thanks to the organisation team of this classic event.