NEW medals have been designed for the Windermere Marathon in the hopes of attracting more entrants to the race.

Those who successfully complete the 26.2 mile run will receive a medal depicting an iconic scene from their route.

Artist George Grange, from Kentmere, produced four designs for the medals which will be presented to runners over the next four years.

The silver coloured medals fit together to create a scene representing the 26.2 mile route. They show Brathay Hall, Hawskhead, Bowness and Newby Bridge.

Aly Knowles Brathay’s head of operations explained: “Every person who signs up for the marathon is helping to fund our work with young people so it’s important that we continue to attract runners.

"Medals for everyone who crosses the finishing line, not just the first three back, is now quite rightly a tradition in marathon running. The medals are so important, they are part of the runner experience and a badge of honour."

Handing them out is the job of a small team of dedicated volunteers organised by Brathay’s Catherine Allen. The sales ledger administrator said the medal represents more than just running 26 miles on a Sunday.

“It’s the end goal of months of training and sheer determination to get around the course, particularly for those who may have been running for six hours or more,” Catherine said.

“In some cases the runner stories are very moving. One year we helped with a request from the family of a female runner who had suddenly and traumatically lost her fiancé a week before the race. She crossed a finishing line decorated with sun flowers."

Aly said the charity was grateful to George Grange, who volunteered her time earlier in the year to design the medals and a fundraising pack.

George, a visual arts education officer, said she approached Brathay because she had read about the charity and she thought it was a great organisation.

She said: “I happened to have a day a week free for four months. The project made use of my skills but I also learned some new ones and brushed up my knowledge. Its’ been fun and I’ve felt well-supported in a friendly, helpful office. It’s also been great to work on two self-contained projects which I’ve been able to start and then see through to the end”.

For information about the ASICS Windermere Marathon, and to sign up from September 1, visit: https://www.brathaychallenges.com/events/running/marathon