Open letter to all KAC members from Lesley Malarkey

 Dear Everyone,

As many of you will know, following the recent AGM, I am the new Chair of Keswick Athletic Club and I wanted to write to all members straight away with details of the new committee and to raise a couple of the issues which we, as a club, will need to make decisions about in the near future.

The committee is as follows:

Lesley Malarkey (Chair) news@keswickac.org.uk

Sam Stead     secretary@keswickac.org.uk

John Nicoll    treasurer@keswickac.org.uk

Rob Jones      Membership Secretary

Steve Hebblethwaite      Men's Captain

Cat Evans       Ladies' Captain

Ange Turnbull      Junior Coordinator

Steve Jones         Website Coordinator

Adam Campion    Park Run Link

Steve Harwood     Members' Rep

Jenn Mattinson      Members' Rep

With so many changes to the key posts, we do, as a committee, have a lot to learn.  Please feel free to get in touch with any of us if we forget anything or do something wrong!

The first meeting of the committee will be on Tuesday 25th November in the cricket pavilion at 7.30 directly following training.  If you have anything pressing that needs discussion or action, please contact Sam directly.

One of the key issues already up for discussion is the organisation of training.  Dunc Overton has coordinated and lead this brilliantly for a long time but has decided to step down.  I anticipate setting up a meeting for interested people to decide the best way of organising it but I really would appreciate views from as many members as possible about what they want from training. Please contact me with opinions on this.  All views, new ideas, types of sessions etc would be most welcome.

Another important issue for discussion this year is the development of a club base.  There is a current proposal to extend the cricket pavillion to provide better facilities for the club. This would be a big commitment for KAC and over the next few months a decision is needed to fully commit to this or to withdraw.  There was some discussion of this at the AGM and it is clear that there are mixed opinions.  I would ask all of our members to give some serious thoughts to this venture in order that a decision can be made based on the wishes of everyone concerned.

I also want to say, on behalf of all of us, a very big thank you to the officers and committee members who have stepped down.  Pete, Ian B., Ian D., and Dunc, in particular, have done so much for the club over the years but also Andrew and Clive for their contribution over the past year.  I hope all of you can now just enjoy your running and be ready to advise us when we need help.

Finally, congratulations to all those who ran in the Brampton to Carlisle race.  A brilliant result and excellent publicity for the club!

Here's to the continued success of KAC,

Lesley

Keswick Clean Up at Brampton

In an unprecedented day of success for the club, Keswick AC dominated the Brampton to Carlisle 10 mile road race, taking home every team prize on offer.

The 'B2C', now in it's 63rd year, is the oldest 10 mile race in the country. Known for it's fast course, prestigious history and slick organisation, it regularly attracts a top class field. Runners from across the north descend on the small market town of Brampton for a the 10 mile blast to Carlisle and the chance to write their names in the history books. The event was also the last race in the Keswick Road Championship, providing an extra incentive for every Keswick runner to squeeze every second out of their potential.

This year was no different, with a total of 646 runners at the start line, each with their own personal goals but all looking to prove something to themselves.

The race was won by Tadele Geremew of Elswick Harriers in a stunning time of 49.48. John Battrick (52.46), who runs for Keswick on the fells, came in a superb second place running for his home club North Norfolk Beach Runners (a first claim transfer form is in the post, John!)

The Keswick charge was led by Marc Brown (54.01), who's strong running styled was perfectly suited to these roads. Marc's training and preparation paid off as he absolutely smashed his previous PB by over 3 minutes. Marc and Sam Stead (54.24) worked together throughout the race, the latter using Marc's pacing to good effect as he beat his PB by a similar margin. Just behind Sam was Russell Maddams (54.55), with the trio earning Keswick an historic 1st place in the Open Team category.

Sam Stead and Marc Brown (photos Dave Liddle)

In the Veterans category, Chris Brewer (58.52) cruised past a long-term sub-60 minute target. Rob Wynne (61.44), joined Chris and Russell for 1st Veteran Team, one place better than last year.

Chris Brewer

In recent years, the Keswick Ladies have upstaged the Men at these prestigious events, and so it came as no surprise that their performance was equally, if not more impressive.

The Ladies race was won by Alex Sneddon of Jarrow & Hebburn AC in a time of 59.42. The Keswick charge was not far behind with the 'Dream Team' of Sam Ayers (67.58), Hazel Davies (69.29) and Lindsay Walker (69.41) scooping not only the Open Team prize but the Veteran prize as well, with Lindsay achieving an impressive PB.

Sam Ayers 

Today was surely the day where many of Keswick AC, and the club itself, shed their 'up-and-coming' label and truly arrived on the regional scene. The achievement of winning every team prize at such a prestigious event should not be underestimated, with the club starting to back up it's ever-present fell success with strong performances on the road, cementing it's position as a top all-round club.

Other Keswick runners, including a handful of PB's;

Steve Jones 66.49 PB

Dave Burton 71.32 

Damian Kimmins 71.31 PB

Rachel Mellor 72.52 PB

Juliet Grieves 81.19

Rachael Collins 94.44 PB

Full results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2014/brampton.pdf

When the day seemed like it could get no better, news startled trickle in of performances by club members elsewhere. Club Captain Steve Hebblethwaite, preparing for the Florence Marathon, took part in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, setting a Personal Best time of 32.08 to ensure he goes in to the marathon in the best shape of his life. 

Elsewhere, the club also took some unexpected plaudits at the Whinlatter Duathlon. Local couple Carl Bell and Jenn Mattinson took a popular second place in the Mixed Relay, and Phil Winskill, inspired by his celebrity relay partner Adam Nolan (of 'Jasper' fame), ran his way to 3rd in the Open relay.