Running - Coniston hosts new off-road Trails Marathon (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Running - Coniston hosts new off-road Trails Marathon

10:57am Thursday 30th June 2011 in Athletics

THE FIRST Lakeland Trails Marathon, starting and finishing at Coniston on Sunday, is a sell-out.

More than 1,000 competitors will feature in a field with a strong international flavour in what is believed to be the first off-road marathon in the Lake District.

The race takes in a complete circuit of Coniston Water including the beauty spots of Tarns Hows and Beacon Tarn over a measured 42.2km marathon distance.

More than £100, 000 is expected to be raised for various charities from the event.

Some of the remarkable charity marathon runners include :

* Noel Bresland - one of the charity stars from the London Marathon, Noel is aiming to complete his 223 marathon challenge - one for every day of his son Ethan's life, for the charities Bliss and Children with Leukaemia. The Lakeland Trails Marathon will be his 31st marathon and he has so far raised an amazing £65, 000 - see www.223challenge.com.

* Rik Vercoe - wearing race number 18, Rik is running his 18th marathon in 18 days in aid of the Elizabeth Foundation Charity, supporting infants and pre school children with hearing loss.

It is the charity's 30th birthday, and to mark the occasion, Rik is aiming to complete 30 marathons in 30 weeks. He is almost half way to his target of £5000, having so far raised £2430 ! To sponsor Rik go to : www.justgiving.com/30Marathons.

* Lee Richards - aiming to raise at least £4000 for Wakefield Hospice, in memory of his best pal's mum, who lost her long fight with cancer in 2006.

Lee was working in Australia at the time and could not return for the funeral. As a big thank you for the care and support of Wakefield Hospice, Lee is aiming to raise as much money as possible by running the Lakeland Trails Marathon as part of his 15 challenges with 1500 miles.

To sponsor Lee go to www.justgiving.com/2011thechallenge A family friendly festival atmosphere is guaranteed at the finish venue of John Ruskin School in Coniston, with local food stalls, children's entertainments including face painting, bouncy castle, climbing wall and fun runs (start 3pm).