Fell running - New record in Keswick/Buttermere

10:32am Tuesday 19th February 2008

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THE Keswick/Buttermere Round 34km road race is regarded as one of the toughest running events in the country.

Only open to senior runners over 21 years of age, the route from Keswick's Woolworths store to the town's cricket pavilion in Fitz Park takes in the B5289 past Derwentwater and Borrowdale, through Seatoller, before the lung-gasping climb over the Honister Pass and fast downhill section towards Buttermere.

Here the route turns north-east and heads over the scenic, but very challenging climb of Newlands Pass before descending to, and through, Stair hamlet.

It then passes the Swinside Inn, and eventually you'll arrive at Portinscale (20-mile point), when the last couple of kilometres or so sees the now tired runners heading into Keswick, to the welcoming site of the finish at Fitz Park.

First back was Steve Littler of Wesham Road Runners in a fantastic time of 2:03.13, over two minutes inside the 1982 course record of 2:05.30 held by Ken Stuart and Jonathon Broxap. Chris Steele of Borrowdale Fell Runners clocked 2:10.18, coming in second place. Paul Waterston of Morpeth Harriers was first vet runner in third place recording 2:17.40.

The first winner of this race, in 1978, Duncan Overton, who is a vet 55, ran a stunning 2:45.08.

First woman safely back at Fitz Park in 2:42.27, well outside the 2:34.40 course record, set by Ann Bland in 1988, was Julie Carter from Cumberland Fell Runners, who had a ding-dong battle with last woman lady back was holidaymaker Gudrun Ravetz in a highly respectable 2:44.06.

The race, celebrating its 30th anniversary, attracted a field of 94, with many using it as a long training run for the London Marathon, and among them was James Goffe, of Black Combe Runners, who is upping his mileage in preparation for his big day in our capital city.

James, who won the club's open road race championships last season, did well to finish in 56th place overall, in a personal best time of 3:01.28, some 15 minutes quicker than last year. He was one of three BCRs to take part in this race, the first in the clubs' 12 road race champs counters for 2008, in which runners must do at least five races to count for the end of the year's presentations.

Just 79 seconds later Mike Berry arrived, while the clubs' 24 hour track race starlet Karl Fursey managed 73rd place (3:18.44). Penny Moreton, also running London, recorded a pb in 3:39.45.

March is a quiet month for the Black Combe Runners, with only one road race in the clubs' championships coming up.

A week Sunday (March 2) is the Haweswater half-marathon, inaugurated in 2002 as a replacement for the Penrith Half-marathon, and which follows a very scenic, but hilly course from Bampton (near Shap),to Mardale Head and back along the shores of the reservoir.

Entry is £15 on the day, and the race starts at noon.

The Clubs' 12 fell race champs counters doesn't start until 7pm on April 2, with the 4 mile,1000ft Loughrigg race from Ambleside, and is an ideal starter race for anyone new to the sport of fell running.(from material supplied by Karl Fursey of Black Combe Runners)