ROAD RUNNING

RUNNERS from all over the UK were in Keswick on Sunday to perpetuate the special spirit of the “Round Derwentwater” ten mile road race—the 50th anniversary of an event that has been won, over the years, by a veritable who’s who of the sport.

They included living athletics legend Ron Hill, who has run the Derwentwater race many times and now, aged 71, returned to compete again 46 years after his win in 1963.

Ron was Guest of Honour and presented the awards, and many competitors were proud to meet him. Other previous winners who were present on Sunday included Ken Stuart, Steve Cairns, Mike Scott, Dave Cavers and Alan Catley.

Race organiser Alan Ritchie said: “The race history reads like Who`s Who in athletics. Winners include Dave Cannon and Mike Freary while, among those who didn`t win are Jim Alder, and in 2nd place in 1973 was Brooks Mileson, a fine athlete in his day before his attention turned to football.”

Sunday’s race was organised by Keswick Athletic Club and supported by Mizuno athletic shoe Co. in association with Pete Bland Sports of Kendal.  Full results can be found on www.keswick-ac.org.uk

Keswick Market Place was filled with visitors and locals seeking refuge from the torrential rain. At noon, they were entertained by the spectacle of over 400 runners including 121 ladies setting off on the annual race around the lake.

 Held annually since 1960, this classic race is as popular as ever. This year the Derwentwater race lived up to its name, with much of the road under water!

Many competitors from all parts of the UK were staying in the Keswick area, for example, about 30 members each from Beverley Athletic Club and from Royton Road Runners, with their families

From the start Andi Jones of Salford charged into the lead and secured a clear margin of more than two minutes ahead of other good quality club athletes, to win for the third time in five years in 51min 48sec. Weather conditions ensured that the record set by Kenny Stuart of Keswick AC in 1986 was not threatened.

Rebecca Robinson of Kendal AC, a medallist in the recent Commonwealth mountain running championships, was first lady for the fifth consecutive year, finishing 9th overall in a time of 59min 09sec, a remarkable time in the  conditions. Rebecca is the only lady ever to complete the course in under an hour, except for the record holder Lorna Irving in 1986.

The Grant Horsburgh Cup, which is awarded to the first Keswick AC finisher, was presented to Phil Winskill who finished 5th overall, holding off a challenge by Steve Hebblethwaite. Together with Matt Fraser in 13th place Keswick AC claimed the original “Team Challenge Bowl” which has now survived for half a century.

In the fifty years of the Derwentwater Ten there have been only three race organisers, Jack Canfield 1960 - 1974, Frank Rush 1975 - 1990 and Alan Ritchie 1991 to the present.

In Jack Canfield`s letter to the AAAs dated 1960 he said “we propose calling the meeting the Round Derwentwater Road Race ….. the intention is to make this an annual event and it is our aim to make the meeting one of the most enjoyable in the road racing calendar”

Alan Ritchie said: “Keswick AC try to retain the traditional Athletic Club spirit at their events and hope they have lived up to Jack`s expectations.”

Like most sporting events at that time the race was held on Saturday afternoon starting at 2.45pm. All competitors had to be members of clubs affiliated to the AAA.

Entries closed two weeks before race day. The entry form advertised  “three open events run over the same course in conjunction and simultaneously with each other”

Main event was the Team Challenge for teams of 6 runners (declared in advance) 3 to score.

Entry fee 5 shillings per team (about 4 pence each in today’s money). 1st prize to the value of 25 shillings each. 2nd event – “Huntsman” Individual Race. Team members free, others one shilling & sixpence 1st. prize to the value of £3.  Trophies – the Fox, Hare and Otter masks  3rd event – Handicap Race. Sealed entries submitted to official AAA Handicapper.

Retaining the Fox, Hare and Otter tradition,  replacement trophies have been produced this year--framed drawings of a Fox for the winner and a Hare for first veteran runner, donated to Keswick AC by Lou Myers, who has enjoyed long years of running in this area.

The Otter drawing for the first lady has been donated by Mrs Vicky Robinson and was appropriately presented to her daughter Rebecca.

 The picture at the top by PETE RICHARDS is from the Keswick AC website linked above.

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