 Pensioner’s Outing to Keswick ! Well we thought, no point trying to keep up with the young un’s like Scaifey & Paul Bellingham at the Abbey Dash and Gibside got messed up when they changed the date so decision made ! Mike Steven and I, Kevin Bray, toed the line in a field of 439 finishers at the annual Derwentwater 10 mile road race last Sunday. Perfect conditions, mild, still and dry on the day following torrential rain that left the roads very wet underfoot. The autumn colours were absolutely beautiful ! The race starts on the edge of town by George Fishers shop, goes down Borrowdale to Grange and then comes back via Manesty, Skelghyll, Stair, Swinside Inn to finish at the suspension bridge in Portinscale. Most of the 1200’ of climbing takes place after the 4 mile mark on the switchbacks above the lake. The views are fantastic – if you can see them for the tears in your eyes ! I finished 105th (6th V60) in 74.24, and Mike was close behind, 151st (10th V60) in 79.31. I first ran this race way back in 1985 and this was my 18th trip round Derwentwater ! It’s a proper club race, well organised, no frills, challenging route, great atmosphere and a huge prize list. Carla Maley from NSP finished 2nd lady and picked up 70 quid so well done to her ! Keswick AC have done so well to keep this race going given the changes to rules, regulation and traffic. It’s meant tweaks to the route which I think is now even tougher than when it was a circuit round the lake. Next year is the 60th anniversary of the race. Does anybody fancy a bus trip to Keswick for the day? Potentially plenty of prizes to be had and lots of VERY good options in Keswick for post race refuelling and rehydration !! Kevin Bray  A couple of pensioner’s (NOT) looking their best!! Comments are closed.
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