Ultra runners take on Kielder in three gruelling events

Athletes competing in the Kielder Ultra Trail on Friday had a choice of runs at 32k, 50k, and 100k.

The ultra trail is becoming a regular feature in the Kielder calender, having started in 2014, and is described as being a trail run like no other.

The routes take in everything the 600 square kilometre park has to offer, from the most remote parts to notable landmarks like Kielder Castle and the dam.

The 50k route starts at the castle, before ascending up Castle Hill, past Devil’s Lapful and on to Wainhope Bothy.

The route then descends back down to Kielder Dam, before joining the Lakeside Way trail until it reaches Freya’s Cabin.

Following this is a step climb to the high point of the course at Scald Hill.

Runners will then follow the Lewis Burn back to the Lakeside Way, before crossing Kielder Viaduct, passing Bakethin Reservoir and and heading back to the castle.

Organisers this year decided to add a smaller, none ultra length of 32k, but the challenging event still shares much of its route with the 50k event.

The 32k race was run by Ally Wright of Scottish based Hardrock Hoodlums running club, with a time 2:35:09. Peter Corson claimed second place with a time of 2:40:03, while third place went to Oliver Greenwood at 2:48:25.

Rowan Boswood won the 50k event with a time of 3:30:12, while second place went to Peter Grant of 4 Scots running club with a time of 3:50:51 and third place went to Ian Liversey of Barlick Fell Runners, with a time of 4:01:55.

And the gruelling 100k race was won by Jake Bright, with a time of 9:20:31.

Second place went to David Hanna of Carnethy running club, with a time of 9:47:09, and third place went to Andy Day of Plantpower running club, with a time of 10:07:14.

Organiser Ian Mulvey said: “It was really good, we got lucky with the weather. We had about 300 people over the three distances.

“Ultra events are becoming popular, over the last few years lots have started up. We’ve had a steady growth here.”