Reminders to all Walkers 

The deadline for sponsor money is 31 August 2010.  Could sponsor forms please be returned with cheques to enable Gift Aid to be claimed for the Charities. 

Also if email address could please be provided with the Sponsor Form - this will enable us to  scan and email receipts.

All of this years pictures have been uploaded to Flickr and , if you use it , Facebook ( group is called Keswick to Barrow walk).

For Flickr :   http://www.flickr.com/photos/keswick2barrow/collections/72157623911156199/

or Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=51061966433&v=photos

We are keen for your feedback on this year's walk - you can share your views via facebook or you can give us your thoughts direct using info@keswick2barrow.co.uk

More Records fall as the 2010 K2B Contributes to a Great Barrow Celebratory Weekend . . . .

Barrow AFC won the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, Barrow Raiders made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Rugby League Challenge Cup and the 44^th Keswick to Barrow Walk also contributed to a great Barrow celebratory weekend by fielding its highest turnout yet and on track for raising its first quarter Million pound giveaway in its 44 year history.

When Barrow AFC reached the final of the FA trophy at Wembley to be played on Walk Day - there were calls for the event to be postponed in order that followers could make both fixtures.  However, the FA were not for budging and so both events would have to be held on the same day with a potential impact to attendances. The Walk itself could not be rescheduled at short notice due to commitments already made by the organisers and participants accommodation & transport etc, but having been oversubscribed in the last 3 years were still hopeful of another record turnout.

The weather forecast one week earlier had given snow showers in the Keswick area for 8^th May but the improving forecast was particularly kind after last years downfalls, resulted in a sunny but cool day with a 15mph north easterly breeze designed to assist the competitors along the route as it meandered south westerly into Barrow.  Of the 300 starting teams, some 78 had ventured from outside Cumbria, there were 22 Ministry of Defence teams, 20 Youth and 11 Ladies teams.  There were also three teams of Girl-Guides trialling a shortened version of the event from Coniston to Barrow for what could be a future introduction to the main event for lesser able and younger persons.

The first walkers were through the Keswick start at just after 5.30am with the 84 elite runners being despatched at 6.00 prompt with ten racing handcyclists including ex London Marathon winner Kevin Papworth at 6.45pm. All but the handcyclists had to negotiate a new off-road starting section that took them across a field to a timber track before rejoining the original road route after 1 mile.  These measures had been implemented in the interests of safety following issues raised over numbers of walkers on the A591 in recent years.

As the sun came up over Helvellyn and the walkers briskly making their way along the tranquil west bank of Thirlmere, over one hundred support vehicles positioned themselves on Dunmail raise (7 miles) stoking up the breakfast barbeques and setting out refreshment tables to provide the first well-earned support for the marching army.

Another three miles and the walkers had descended upon the beautiful village of Grasmere and the first checkpoint (10 miles). The walkers then ascended the first major challenge of the day - Red Bank  which represents the south west route out of the village up a 1 in 4 hill lasting a half mile in length.  Another three miles and the walkers were through the picturesque village of Elterwater and the second checkpoint.(13 miles).  The hardened walkers were now starting to get into their stride whilst a few dozen newcomers had already succumbed to the bacon butties, fantastic scenery and an easier way-out on the sidelines.

The next section took walkers past Little Langdale and then Yew Tree Tarn before  arriving at Checkpoint 3 - Monk Coniston (18.5 miles) at the head of Coniston Water. Another 2 miles and the walkers were provided with a free lunch at Brantwood - the halfway point - overlooking the lake and Coniston Old Man.. Back at Barrow the leaders were already massing at the Hawcoat Park Sports Club with the remainder of K2B field stretched almost 30 miles across Cumbria.   

The 7 mile stretch to the next checkpoint took walkers the full length of Coniston Water through the fringes of Grizedale Forest and Nibthwaite village leading to the next major challenge of the day at Lowick and the Red Lion (27 miles) where well-wishers were trying their best to reward walkers with a pint of best Cumbrian ale. One hundred and fifty mortals had succumbed by this point but the competitions juniors were of course, having none of it with the fastest of them already arriving in Barrow - and it is still early afternoon !

In your average Marthon competitors would be thankful of finishing at this stage but in this event you are only two thirds there and now facing the greatest challenge of the day - the 4 mile ascent upon to Kirkby moor.  Another 50 persons had the courage to retire along this notorious stretch which is often the maker or breaker of any prospective K2B finisher. 

As the walkers descended from the moors on this best of clear days they were treated to the fantastic views across Morecambe bay and the Irish Sea to North Wales and the Isle of Man.  The final stretch took the walkers through the rural village of Marton and Dalton - the ancient capital of Furness - as many well-wishers stood by and applauded the efforts of the walkers as they endured the final miles to the finish. Overall a record 2094  persons completed the event  - which included over 1100m of ascent -  and were rewarded with a warm welcome from the cheering crowd along with a medal, handshake, meal and free pint of their preferred refreshment. 

The First Man home in a 15-Year K2B Best time of 4 hr 16 minutes, and winning the Best Performance Cup was 39 year old Shipyard Assistant Project Leader Garry Dixon from Barrow running for the SEDDASA team.  Second was Richard Watson representing the Fishes out of Water team and third was Ian Symington representing Sercopaths.  First Lady home for the second time and winner of the JM Redshaw Cup was Newcastle based Fiona Taylor representing Trojan A in 5 hr 41 minutes with Kate McBurney of Pace Setters second and Rachel Ellis from RAF Coningsby third.   

Joint winners of the Malcolm Savage Memorial Plate for the first Handcyclist, were previous winners Andy Chamings and Geoff Marshall who crossed the line side by side in a New Record time of 3 hr 46 having only agreed in the final 300 metres to finish together.  Third was Peter Lombard also from the Whizz Kids Team who clocked in five minutes later.

Winner of the Sandy Woods Boys Trophy was 15 year old Barrow schoolboy Jake Reynolds representing the Furness Academy Kennedy team in 7hr 08 minutes.  Second was Cian Grace of Dowdales Boys A in 7 hr 16 min and third was Robert While of Furness Academy Ramsden 2 in 7 hr 17 minutes.  A close finish and great race from all three boys.

The Outstanding Performance of the Day undoubtedly came from twelve year old Kirsten Bell from Barrow who won the Sandy Woods Girls Trophy breaking her eldest sister Gemmas Under 17 girls record by ten minutes in 6 hr 44. Kirstens 14 year old sister Chloe also representing the Tender Trotters Team, came second in 7 hr 59 minutes.  Third was Furness Academy Armstrongs Lauren Huxley in 8 hr 34.

Winners of the L Redshaw Cup for the best overall team performance was Ministry of Defence team Trojan A with all eleven back in 7 hrs 24 minutes. This Newcastle team also took the K2B Challenge Cup for the best non-Cumbrian team and also the W Richardson Trophy for the best MoD team performance making it a clean sweep of team trophies to go with the JM Redshaw cup won by Fiona earlier in the day.

The Resolution Cup for the best team in an in-house competition between the Royal Navy and Shipyard teams was reclaimed again by the Shipyard team SEDDASA with 10 home in 8hr, 41min.  SEDDASA also took the Charity Challenge Trophy in the competition between BAE Systems Business Unit teams.

One of the most keenly contested competitions is the Ladies Team Trophy with several previous winning teams hoping to reclaim this beautiful trophy.  It was won in the end by surprised winners Team Jake Chick Hicks who had all 11 ladies back in 11 hours 26 minutes.  The final trophy of the night to be won was the Vanguard Cup for the fastest junior team which was this year won by Dowdales Boys A with all 10 boys back in a time of 13 hr 55 minutes.

Overall, some 2314 persons took part  - further extending the K2B participation record and kicking off what was altogether another successful K2B and celebratory weekend for the Barrow area.  The total amount to be raised from this years event is expected to be close to 250k and will be announced and distributed in November.  K2B Chairman Brian Devenny thanked all the walkers, supporters and marshals for contributing to yet another very successful event and claimed it had indeed been a great day for everyone involved and in particular the people of Barrow. 

A full list of results will be available on the website by thursday 13th May.

The K2B timing system uses a High Frequency (HF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging system to track and time your team members along the route. 

 The main components of this system are the reader (sits at the centre of the red target) and the tag which each walker wears on a lanyard.  The reader can read the tag up to 1 to 2 cm away.  

Each Tag has been mapped to a member of your team as defined on your Captains Sheet which you check as part of the registration process.  It is therefore very important that you get the correct tags in accordance with this sheet otherwise you will be walking under the wrong name and this will delay you at checkin.

How to log your attendance at a Checkpoint

At each checkpoint you will see at least 1 reader on a Red target. 

To log you through each of the checkpoints we need you to touch the reader with your tag.  The reader will record you as passing the checkpoint and flash amber and green to confirm a good read of your tag – this will take seconds to complete.  The Checkpoint Marshall should be able to confirm your name and team details.

Finding out where your team members are

At key points along the route we have provided search points.  At these search points you will be able to find out when other team members went through the last checkpoint and also obtain a prediction of when they are due to reach the next checkpoint.  Search points are provided at

·                  Monks Coniston Car Park                        ( Checkpoint 3)

·                 Lowick Cross Roads                                ( Near the Red Lion Pub)

·                  Marton Village                                         ( Checkpoint 7)

·                  Hawcoat Lane Sports Club                       ( Finish)

Another Successful Event - Highlights from K2B42 - 2008

The 42^nd Keswick to Barrow Walk (K2B) got underway from Rough How Bridge in perfect conditions with the 2029 starters being the second highest turnout in the history of the event (record 2049 last Year).  The slight reduction from the 2200 expected, was attributed to the success of Barrow AFC gaining promotion by winning the Blue Square North play off’s the night before with many supporters celebrating well into the morning.

Of the 245 starting teams, 89 were from outside Cumbria, 27 were Ministry of Defence Teams, there were 18 Ladies teams and 31 Junior Teams.  There were 60 official runners competing for individual trophies and twelve disabled Handcyclists.

The first walkers were through the start at 5.30 prompt, with many skipping or jogging along the A591 towards Barrow – some in fancy dress.  Runners were despatched at the official 6.00 start time with a team of twelve Handcyclists getting underway shortly afterwards.  The last team away at 6.50 was the Lancashire team, The Mulligans who had already walked the 2 miles from their hotel at Keswick due to failure of transport arrangements.

The surface of Thirlmere was like a mirror reflecting the Helvellyn range in the early morning light as the walkers started the passage along the west bank.  The sun came up as the majority of walkers were ascending Dunmail Raise which provides the first support point at 7 miles and the ideal location for a cooked breakfast for many walkers.  The route then leaves the A591 and winds its way through the beautiful Lakeland villages of Grasmere and Elterwater on route to the Halfway point at Brantwood on the banks of Coniston Water. 

The fringes of Grizedale Forest provided well needed shade along the length of Coniston Water as the sun rose high into the sky and the first of the casualties were treated by the well-equipped first aid and rescue teams on route.  A carnival atmosphere awaited those who managed to make the marathon distance to Lowick, with many well-wishers and supporters in festive spirits outside the Red Lion Inn.

The most arduous section of the route had only just begun as walkers embarked upon a four mile uphill struggle to the top of the Furness Fells and were rewarded by some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the country.  The final descent through the village of Marton and then Dalton – the ancient capital of Furness – gave some respite to the weary legs enabling the final trudge along Abbey Road into Barrow more possible.  All 1815 finishers were greeted with warm applause as they crossed the finish line at Hawcoat Park to receive their finishers medal.

First Man home in a time of 4 hr 33 minutes – and winner of the ‘Best Performance Cup’ was local draughtsman Gary Dixon from the Shipyard’s SEDDASA team in only his first K2B. Second placed was Darren Fell of the Waikiki Beach Club team in 4hr 52 min with 3^rd placed Christopher Howie of the Shipyard’s ALARP team making it a 1,2,3 for local runners.

 First Handcyclist home and winner of the Malcolm Savage Memorial Plate was 2005 winner Andy Chamings from York setting a new course record of 3hr 54 minutes for the class.  Last years winner Geoff Marshall from Farnborough was second in 4 hr 2 minutes.

First lady home and winner of the JM Redshaw Cup for the second year running was Fiona Taylor from Aberdeen in a time of 6 hr 5 minutes.  Third lady home and winner of the Sandy Woods Girls trophy was 15 year old Jemma Bell from Ulverston Victoria High School who completed the course in 6hr 53 minutes.  Winner of the Sandy Woods Boys Trophy was 16 year old Aron Fell from Park View School in a time of 6 hr 33 minutes.

Winners of the L Redshaw Cup for the best overall team performance was the Shipyard Team SEDDASA with all ten men back in 7 hrs 15 minutes. SEDDASA also took the Resolution Cup – for the best team in an in-house competition with the Royal Navy – and the Charity Challenge Trophy for the best BAE Systems team, both of which were new records for the class.

The K2B Challenge Cup for the best non-Cumbrian team and the W Richardson Trophy for the best MoD team were both won by HMS Sultan Delayed Neutons from Portsmouth with all ten home in 7 hours 49 minutes.

The Ladies Team Trophy was won for the sixth time by the 2008 Badminton Babes with all ten ladies home (complete with immaculate lipstick and smiles) in 10 hrs 56 minutes.  Chetwynde School retained the Vanguard Cup for the fastest junior team in 13 hrs 10 minutes with Walney School B second and St Bernards 4 Third.

The youngest participant was Sharanya Guleri from Merseyside who completed his third K2B this year.  The oldest competitor was 85 year old Barrovian Ken Honeyman who arrived back at the finish at 8.15 pm.  Last arriving was a group of four Walney Schoolchildren after 16 and a half hours on the road.

The total amount to be raised from this years event is expected to exceed £200k and possibly exceed the £220k record set last year.  The K2B committee would like to thank all Walkers, sponsors and Marshals for making such an excellent day. 

A full list of results is available on the website.

2007 - Simply the Most Successful K2B Year Yet !

Following the establishment of new participation records on the 12th May, several fundraising records were set at the annual K2B Awards evening on 8th November.  

A total of £180,259  - some £54k better than the record set last year - was distributed to 187 charities, with the 128 Local Charities benefiting to the tune of £113,842.  Some 59 Non-Cumbrian charities benefitted by a total of £66,417 thanks to the efforts of some 90 travelling teams.  A total of 81 Gift Aid Packages totalling some £25,187 were also presented bringing the overall 2007 K2B charity payout to £205,466. The total raised by the K2B since 1967 now stands at £1,257,472.

Awards ranged up to a the fantastic £10,000 presented to the North West Air Ambulance which becomes the highest charity award ever presented by the K2B.  The Air Ambulance was nominated by several local teams in the wake of a tragic car accident involving local businessman Ray Armstong and his family earlier this year.

The Glaxo Charity Shield for the most money raised by a team went to Tonka Fingers Charity Convoy 5 who set a new fundraising record of £6395.  The MSF Trophy for the Junior Team raising most money was presented to Chetwynde School 1 with an excellent £1088.

Other highlights from 2007 include:

• Most Ever Participants at 2049, some 29% higher than previous best of 1591 participants last year. (First year we have had to close entries before the date in order to guarantee safety limits)

• Of these, some 1788 hardy souls managed to complete the event and producing – our best completion rate yet of 87% (fantastic !)

• A Record 34 MoD/Armed Forces Teams (16 LY), mostly from outside Cumbria.

• A Record 45 Junior Teams mostly representing local secondary Schools, including five from Thorncliffe School and eight from Dowdales School.

• Altogether, a record 297 participating teams (230 LY), 103 of which from outside Cumbria (52 LY) with individual representation from the Czech Republic, Alaska, New Zealand and China.

• The Youngest Participant (again) was nine year old Sharanya Guleri  from Merseyside and the oldest was Gordon Rodgers from Carlisle at 77 (and gaining his white ‘Doctors Certificate’ for 3 completions)

• We had Joint Winners in the mens trophy with Rolls Royce contractors Neil Halliday and John Robertson finishing hand in hand after 5 hours 13 minutes pacing each other along the route

• There was a new all-time Girls record of 7 hr 40 minutes by Jemma Bell from Barrow.

• Another Junior Record was set by Chetwynde 1 who took the Vanguard Team trophy in 10 hrs 18 minutes taking a massive 80 minutes off the previous best

A total of some 78,000 miles have been covered this year and most importantly the 2000 plus walkers have generated the best ever K2B fundraising total with an average £88 raised per entrant. ‘Well Done’ to each and every one of you for contributing to this fantastic success.

New Charity Nominations Procedure

A new nominations procedure has been introduced for 2007 allowing teams  - who wish to nominate a charity to benefit from their efforts  - to make their nomination via the website.  The new webpage  - which is available from the K2B Home Page -  will be the only method of charity nomination by participants and will require full charity and team details and a declaration of how much has been raised and returned to the K2b Committee.

The tab on the home page (bottom right) will take you to the Co-ordinator Log in where you need to input your details as used for the K2B team entry this year.  Successful input of password will take you to the page where you can nominate your charity (s).

Details of the nominations process including Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the website under charities.

Sponsorship Money Details

Please send all sponsorship monies and any cheques, made payable to the
'Keswick to Barrow Walk Committee' 

Send to:

Mr Bill Bright (Treasurer)
Old Hall Farm
Stainton
Barrow-in-Furness
LA14 0NH

Please note that ALL sponsor monies must be returned to the committee and NOT sent direct to the charities.