THOUSANDS of people were nursing painful blisters this week after pounding 40 of the hardest miles in Cumbria - the Keswick to Barrow Walk.

In appalling weather on Saturday, dozens of teams and individuals, from serving soldiers to children as young eight, defied the pain barrier to raise in the region of £300,000 for around 250 charities.

Starting on the outskirts of Keswick, Barrow MP John Woodcock fired the starting gun at 5.30am and the last determined finisher crossed the line at 9.15pm.

Organisers said the walk and its sister event, the 23-mile Coniston to Barrow, was one of the wettest in recent memory.

A total of 2,335 plucky souls started the Keswick walk and 566 began the Coniston leg.

Across the two events, 2,591 participants finished - just 27 fewer than last year, which was in warmer conditions.

For one charity in particular, it was an emotional day. Around 150 people walked under the 'Alice’s Escapes' banner.

It is the highest number ever for a single charity and was established in memory of brave Alice Pyne, 17, who died in January after a five year battle with cancer.

Run by a team of volunteers, the charity is now committed to providing free holidays for families with a seriously ill child.

Cathy Broomfield, an Ulverston-based trustee, said its dedicated ladies team of ten fulfilled Alice’s wish of last year that they should take part and bring home the Ladies Team Trophy as the first female team home.

The team duly delivered - passing the finish line in nine hours and 40 minutes and knocking 70 minutes off the previous best.

The team pictured above are Gary Pennington (Team Coordinator), Catherine Kitching, Donna Spiers, Susie Barstow, Karen Ann Bennett, Karen Barnes, Helen Draper, Danielle Finlayson, Gina Pennington, Cathy Broomfield, Sandy Turner.

Mrs Broomfield said it was hoped that around £15,000 could be raised for Alice’s Escape from its 150 fund-raisers.

Another recipient of the Keswick to Barrow will be St Mary's Hospice.

Participant Gina Pennington, 39, a regular Lake District peak bagger who also recently completed the London Marathon, was this week nursing a septic blister.

She said: “It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. It’s just the fact you are on your feet constantly for hours.”

"The weather was appalling and I got blisters at 25 miles - one on each foot."

Mrs Pennington said she the closest she felt to giving up was when they arrived at Marton on the outskirts of Dalton-in-Furness.

However, she said the team needed to push on to fulfill Alice's wish.

The first man home was runner Dr Ian Symington, 33, of Hebden Bridge, for the third consecutive year.

He breezed over the line in just over four hours 30 minutes.

Ladies gold medallist and making her debut was Paula Irons, 37, from Broughton, who broke the tape at five hours and 40 minutes.

Roy Barnes, committee member, thanked all the walkers and runners who took part and also had praise for the marshalls, first aiders and villagers who tolerate the walk passing through.

"It's team K2B," said Mr Barnes.

The event’s origins are from a passing remark made by the late President John F Kennedy in 1966 that 'every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day.’

Registration for the 2014 event opens in January.

https://www.keswick2barrow.co.uk/