New Views At Kielder Marathon

12 MAY2011

The route of 'Britain's most beautiful marathon' looks set to become even more impressive. An historic railway viaduct in the depths of Kielder Water and Forest Park is to become part of the Lakeside Way, a £3m trail that encircles northern Europe's largest man-made lake, Kielder Water.

The multi-user trail follows the 26 mile shoreline of the Northumbrian Water reservoir in Northumberland and is also the route for the popular Salomon Kielder Marathon on Sunday, October 9. Originally the Border Counties Railway, that used the viaduct, was a vital lifeline for small rural communities but it was closed in 1958.

Work has begun on paths leading up to Kielder Viaduct to allow Lakeside Way users to cross the viaduct, instead of using a public road nearby, before joining the north shore of the lake. For the upcoming marathon runners this gives new views from the viaduct down into Bakethin Nature Reserve and up towards Kielder Castle, which previously could not be seen from the current route the Lakeside Way follows.

Steve Cram, event organiser, said: "Kielder Marathon is billed as 'Britain's most beautiful' - and the marathon route just got even better! We are delighted to have this as one of the main features on the Lakeside Way route as it is a truly breathtaking viewpoint."

The work is due to be completed in June 2011. Keen runners still looking to enter Kielder Marathon can do so at the event website.