Round the Houses

Press Release:

136 runners took part in the annual Round the Houses organised by Keswick AC and sponsored by New Balance of Bank Street, Keswick. This was an excellent turnout considering the weather; grey clouds were looming over Cumbria and there was a stiff breeze with intermittent cold fleeting showers.

The Round the Houses is a tough short race, measuring 5.3 miles and including a number of difficult climbs.  Starting from outside of Fitz Park on Station Road the course loops around the streets of Keswick with the toughest section being an arduous pull up Ambleside Road. The course had to be slightly altered this year with the road works taking place on Crosthwaite Road; the runners had to take a detour through Fitz Park and re-join the traditional course at the bottom of Stanger Street.

A large contingent of Border Harriers had made the trip from Carlisle and the predominantly road-based club had a strong presence at the head of the field; in fact, six of the top ten were sporting the orange and black vests.  But it was to be a Keswick runner who would take the win.  Steve Hebblethwaite, in good form after setting a personal best time over 10 kilometres at the recent Salford 10k, found himself amongst the Border front runners and as the race progressed made it to the front of the field.  Steve held on to record a superb win in 28:34, the first Keswick winner of Round the Houses in many years.

The chasing pack included Border Harriers Harry Earl (2^nd, 28:49) and John Mason (3^rd, 29:21).  And these two, along with Graeme Mason (5^th, 29:29), secured the men’s team prize.

The first two females were from the Penrith based Eden Runners club.  There was some excellent inter-club racing from the Eden participants as they were using the race as a counter in their club championship.  Ruth Hetherington was first in 35:09 with Karen Bridge second in 35:47.  There was no surprise that they took the team prize with their third counter being Heather Eccles (39:44).  Third lady overall was Louisa Tweedale (36:03, Carlisle Tri Club).

Despite the grim weather there was plenty of post-race cheer as the runners gladly tucked into the vast amount of tea and cake on offer in the Cricket Pavilion.  Race organiser Steve Harwood and his volunteers from the host club provided a great event for those taking part and the residents of Keswick were out in force to provide some much welcome support.

 
Keswick AC: Steve Hebblethwaite (1^st, 28:34), Ian Davies (8^th, 30:14), Graham Airey (16^th, 31:49), Rob Jones (32^nd, 34:08), Robert Kenning (36^th, 34:38), Andrew Murray (53^rd, 36:46), Katherine Downie (69^th, 39:09), Louise Brown (83^rd, 40:51), David Box (84^th, 41:29), Clive Beauvais (86^th, 41:42), Siobhan Brewer (96^th, 42:38), Kim Clark (104^th, 43:21), Victoria Haworth (105^th, 43:31), Fiona Alder (131^st, 50:02).