runABC has already brought news of some disappointing race day behaviour at the weekend's Kielder Half Marathon, but in the interests of balance we felt it important to report the positives as well. Thousands of runners took part in the Kielder Marathon Weekend as a whole, all battling through the soaked terrain to mark their incredible feats.

More than 1350 runners took on the Kielder Marathon and Kielder Half Marathon, and a further 94 in the Junior races, adding to those in the 10K and Run Bike Run on Saturday, a total of around 3500 took part across the weekend making it the best attended event since 2019.

The Marathon winner was Russell Maddams from Keswick, who crossed the finish line in just 2:49:05 and in doing so he became the Marathon’s most decorated winner winning his fourth Kielder Marathon after winning in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Lucy Custance from North Shields Polytechnic Club was the first female through, in 3:18:37.

John Butters of Morpeth Harriers & AC was the winner of the Half Marathon, finishing in 1:19:38, while the first female was Sarah Kerr of Claremont Road Runners who crossed the line in 1:28:43.

Steve Cram of Events of the North commented: “It was fantastic to return to pre-Covid levels of participation during the Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend. Every event sold out this year, which I think is a first, and it was brilliant to welcome around 3,500 athletes and plenty of spectators to this beautiful corner of the world.

“It was a great pleasure to welcome Arthur Scott on his 100th birthday, to start the marathon and cheer on his granddaughter and nephew in the half marathon. Stories like that, and the many others that crop up every year, help make this event really special.”

The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon weekend is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

David Hall of Northumbrian Water, said: "The weekend creates magical memories for thousands of runners and spectators and we can’t wait to welcome people back next year. We are also thrilled to have the inaugural trees planted as part of the new ‘winners row’ on our Beeches Walk from our marathon winners."

You can find out more at the Kielder Marathon website.

Image: Events of the North