‘Beautiful’ marathon set to be held in a virtual way
FOLLOWING the huge disappointment that greeted the cancellation of this year’s Kielder Marathon, its organiser has now announced the good news that it will be back after all – in virtual form, and with prizes.
It is keen to spread the word that the event dubbed Britain’s most beautiful marathon will now take place as a series of solo runs over one weekend in October to raise money for a local NHS charity.
Similar to how the Virtual Great North Run will be operating this coming Sunday, the replacement Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon will be taking place on the same weekend that the actual event was due to have run.
And keen runners will have the opportunity to take part by completing their own solo challenges while, at the same time, helping to support the event’s official charity partner Bright Northumbria, which supports hospital and community health facilities in Northumberland and North Tyneside.
Virtual sporting events have become increasingly popular alternatives following a summer of Covid-19 cancellations and the marathon’s organiser, Events of the North, has held four successful previous events of its own – and this will be its fifth and last of the year.
Steve Cram, event founder and race director who in August said it had been “heartbreaking” to have to cancel the marathon because of the pandemic, said: “This is certainly not how we intended or expected to hold events this year, but our virtual races have proved to be very popular. They have helped people to focus on objectives and not waste the hard work that they had already started putting into training for scheduled races.”
The usual Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend also includes a half-marathon, a 10K, Run-Bike-Run, and junior runs so organisers are still keen to give runners a choice of options over the upcoming October 2-4 virtual replacement.
Participants will be able to com
Steve Cram
plete solo runs in a pick of distances ranging from a special ‘Run Like A Legend Mile’ to the full marathon. And, with prizes up for grabs, people can choose to take in multiple challenges, if they have the energy.
Every runner can earn a special Kielder medal and tote bag and £2 from each entry fee will be donated to Bright Northumbria.
Those interested can register online and they can download the app to record, then submit, their best solo run time at any point between Friday, October 2, and Sunday, October 4.
All submitted times will be validated and the results will appear online. There will be prizes for the top three runners in all four events, plus spot prizes.
Steve Cram, who said the team
“can’t wait” for the return of the actual events in 2021, said: “It won’t be the same as being at Kielder but I am sure that runners will find some lovely local routes during their solo marathons, half marathons, 10Ks and miles, and help us to raise funds for Bright Northumbria, which really needs our support in these difficult times.”
Each event costs £12.50 to enter and this includes a bespoke medal and tote bag. There is also an option to add a T-shirt or headband at registration.
Events of the North says that anyone who takes part in the marathon weekend – which is hosted by Northumbrian Water and includes a range of partners – and who has also completed its previous four virtual events, can enter a prize draw to win free entry to the five events when they make a return in 2021.