A record number of people will be heading to Northumberland to participate at this year’s Kielder Marathon weekend. Held on 5 and 6 October at Kielder Waterside Park, the event is back for the 14th year, with a marathon, half marathon, 10K, gravel duathlon, and a series of junior runs/. Over 3,500 have signed up to take part, from the North East, the rest of the UK and around the world. The Kielder Marathon is being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Northumbrian Water, Places Leisure, Northumberland County Council, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity.
Founded in 2010, the Kielder Marathon is known as ‘Britain’s most beautiful’ and has grown into one of the best loved running events on the calendar. Every year, the two days of races feature participants of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Along with leading club representatives, many take part to achieve personal challenges or raise money for good causes, including this year’s official charity, 4Louis.
As in previous years, many of the 2024 runners have personal and interesting stories to tell. Judith Sadler will be celebrating her 70th birthday by taking part in the Kielder 10K with 69 friends who she has recruited, raising money for Alive and Kicking, a social enterprise that supports sustainable employment in Zambia and Kenya. Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness will also be running the Kielder 10K, while 29 runners from the Netherlands are travelling over to take part in races over the weekend. Throughout the event, over 100 volunteers will be helping out, and the athletes will be cheered on by spectators at key points around the course.
Many participants come back to Kielder every year and 11 ever-presents are expected to tackle the marathon this year. Eleven previous winners will also return at the weekend to each plant a tree on ‘Winner’s Row’ at Kielder Waterside, an initiative that is being organised in association with Northumbrian Water. As part of its wider commitment to sustainability, the event encourages runners to make the most of coach transfers from central Newcastle, car share as much as possible and consider planting a tree instead of taking an event t-shirt. Those trees will be planted as part of a reforestation project at Kielder Water and Forest Park. Thanks to event partner Ecologic Partners, reusable water containers will be given to all runners on the finish line and Northumbrian Water has installed a number of water refill stations across the site.
Event founder Steve Cram comments: “The area around Kielder Water and Forest Park is a magnificent setting for these races, which is why so many people return year after year. The location is also one reason why we always see new faces who have heard about the event and want to be part of it. We’re really excited about welcoming a record number this year, and we’re working hard with Northumbrian Water and all of our great partners to ensure that they have a brilliant experience at the Kielder Marathon weekend.”
For more information about the Kielder Marathon races, visit www.kieldermarathon.com. Follow @kielder_marathon on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates from the event.
