Come and Have a Go If You Think You're 'Ard Enough

6 MAR2011

A Captain Jack Sparrow look-a-like is challenging runners across the nation to complete Britain's most beautiful marathon in their best fancy dress costumes. Karl Whittering (55) from Whitby completed the inaugural Kielder Marathon dressed as a 'Mary Poppins style' chimney sweep, and desperate to better last year's effort, Karl plans to complete this year's race in a pirate's costume to raise money for his chosen charity (RNLI).

Karl, a member of Whitby International Pirates Society, said: "Everyone noticed me last year as I was the only one in full fancy dress. The Kielder Marathon was the toughest challenge I've ever faced but all the supporters were cheering me on and shouting 'Mary Poppins' and they spurred me on the full 26 miles. This year I can't wait to run the marathon again and I'm challenging other runners to beat me in the fancy dress stakes!"

Last month former Olympic athlete and world record holder Steve Cram MBE unveiled his plans to repeat the hugely successful Kielder Marathon. Within the first few days of registration opening, over a thousand runners from across the country had signed up. Places are still available on a first come, first served basis and anyone wishing to take up Karl's fancy dress challenge is encouraged to log onto the website and register a place then email their costume ideas.

Scheduled to take place on Sunday October 9, the Salomon Kielder Marathon will once again follow an almost entirely off-road course around northern Europe's largest man-made lake, Kielder Water, in Northumberland. Billed as 'Britain's most beautiful marathon', the event was a sell out in its first year and returns this year with additional places on offer and a headline sponsor - Salomon, the athletic outdoor sports company.

The marathon will follow the Lakeside Way, a trail that stretches right around the shoreline of Kielder Water. The organisers have more than doubled the field this year and expect to attract runners and outdoor adventure enthusiasts from around the world to the dramatic setting and unique course. With the water's shoreline being 26 miles long, Kielder Water in North East England is the ideal venue for the ultimate running challenge, the marathon. Most of the course is off-road and it offers a test for trail runners, adventure racers and marathon enthusiasts alike.

Once again this year there will be a small elite field including Salomon's international trail team comprising of Ricky Lightfoot, Rob Hope and Northumberland trail champion, Nick Swimburn. Last year's winner was Zak Kihara from Kenya with a winning time of 2:29:06. The first female to cross the finish line was Lizzy Hawker in 2:58:22.

Marathon places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis - there is no ballot this year. Cost of entry is £35. Runners who deferred their place last year will be contacted separately. To book a place log on to the event website.