Kielder Marathon 2012 - Britain's Most Beautiful

Britains 'most beautiful' marathon is back. The course which encircles the shore line of Kielder Water will attract thousands of runners and spectators.

Taking place on Sunday October 7, the Salomon Kielder Marathon will once again follow an almost entirely off-road course around northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, in Northumberland.

Billed as ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’, the event was a sell out the previous two years and has retained its headline sponsor – Salomon, the athletic outdoor sports company.

Event organisers are expecting up to 3,000 runners to take part in the gruelling event.

The marathon will follow the Lakeside Way, a trail that stretches right around the shoreline of Kielder Water. The organisers expect to once again attract runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from far and wide to the dramatic setting and unique course.

Steve Cram, former world record holder, Olympic medallist and the event director, said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the details for this year’s Salomon Kielder Marathon. As promised, we’re planning to grow and build on the huge success of our first two years with Britain’s most beautiful marathon at the heart of the weekend’s events.

“As we move into an exciting Olympic year, any sporting event taking place in 2012 has an extra element of relevance. We urge everyone to secure their place as soon as possible and make the Salomon Kielder Marathon their 2012 challenge.”

Entries are also open for the Kielder 10k which takes place on Saturday October 6. The other events taking place over the marathon weekend will be launched later this year. They are they Kielder Run Bike Run relay event and the Kielder Junior Races for children.

With the water’s shoreline being 26 miles long, Kielder Water in North East England is the ideal venue for the ultimate running challenge, the marathon. Most of the course is off-road and it offers a test for trail runners, adventure racers and marathon enthusiasts alike.

Once again this year there will be a small elite field including Salomon’s international trail team. Running again is last year’s winner was Ricky Lightfoot from Cumbria with a winning time of 2:35:14. The first female to cross the finish line was first time marathon runner, Jane Mooney (now Hodgson) from Low Fell, with a winning time of 3:06:45. Jane also plans to run again.

The Lakeside Way is a £3m project in Kielder Water & Forest Park that forms the marathon course. It is a multi-user trail suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair and pushchair users. The trail offers visitors new views and the opportunity to interact with even more of the park’s abundant wildlife and take in its scenic landscape.

Marathon places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis – there is no ballot this year. Cost of entry is £35. Runners who deferred their place last year will be guaranteed a place for 2012 at the standard price of entry. To book a place on either event log on to the event website at www.kieldermarathon.com. For enquiries telephone 01434 689 040 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) or email info@kieldermarathon.com.

The Kielder Marathon team is delighted to be working once again with Salomon, the Mountain Company. With years of experience developing mountain sports products, Salomon works alongside some of the world's top trail running athletes to create the most technical range of trail running shoes, apparel and gear.

Richard Philip from Salomon said: ““Salomon is dedicated to the outdoors and creating technical and innovative products suited to the trail and outdoor consumer. The Salomon Kielder Marathon symbolises our brand personality perfectly as we are working hard to encourage runners to look to the trails as an interesting and fun alternative to pounding the pavements."

Northumbrian Water is once again hosting the event in Kielder Water & Forest Park which will be jointly organised by DS Media & Events.