HISTORY was made yesterday at the 56th annual Keswick to Barrow Walk as a woman was the first participant to cross the line for the very first time.

On a gloriously sunny day in Barrow's Hawcoat Park, Sarah Jones crossed the finish line of the 40-mile route after setting off just five hours and eight minutes earlier.

However, due to the staggered start times, with runners setting off from Keswick between 5.15am and 6.15am, it was the third person to cross the line, James Prescott, who clocked the coveted fastest time with a staggering four hours and 49 minutes.

James, running his second Keswick to Barrow for raising funds for football kit and equipment for Hawcoat Park Junior Football Club, was delighted with his achievement.

At the time, James wasn't guaranteed first place due to the starting format, but said:

"I'm just buzzing to have beaten my time from last year.

"I'm in first place at the moment but it depends on who else comes in!

It was Sarah Jones' third Keswick to Barrow, being part of the St Bernard's High School team raising money for St Mary’s Hospice, and despite her history-making effort, she said it was harder than last time.

"The last time, it was September (2021) because of Covid, and we started later, so we were in amongst the Coniston starters, but this time I was just alone.

"I felt with 20 kilometres to go, my legs were feeling it, but the hardest bit was probably the beginning.

"I'd never done it from this start, and you're just straight into hills so it’s really hard to pace yourself."

The first man across the line, just before James Prescott, was Jamie Morrow, running for YouthAbility, finishing his first Keswick to Barrow in an impressive five hours and 17 minutes.

The Westmorland Gazette: Spectators basking in the sunshine at Hawcoat ParkSpectators basking in the sunshine at Hawcoat Park (Image: Darren Shield)

The keen rugby player and boxer said: "It was tough at times, but you’ve just got to show a bit of grit, haven’t you?

"The hardest bit was probably Kirkby moors, once I saw the 15-mile mark, I got a bit of a lift."

Fourth across the line was Keith MacLean, with another remarkable time of five hours and five minutes, running for Capgemini, the IT service provider for event sponsors BAE Systems.

After running his fifth Keswick to Barrow, the 43-year-old said: "It's my best time ever – getting older and getting faster, that’s how it should be.

"I felt like I was struggling actually, and didn’t think I was anywhere near that time.

"I’m absolutely over the moon – twenty minutes off my previous attempt so I'm happy.

"I can enjoy the day, I’ve got my beer tokens, and they’ll be getting used!"