In 2 hours 20 minutes you can watch the movie 'A Time to Die', you can cook a Texan Chili, you can count 8400 seconds and you can run the Keswick Half Marathon.

When asked, after the run, what the highlights were - Dave Kearns (2:24:57) said 'The Pain, oh yes and the Mexicans!'

Beaten by 648 runners including the winner who managed to do the run in almost half the time (1:13:18) and set the course record, Sunday 1^st May was not Dave's day! BUT he was out there, slogging through his first half marathon, enjoying what must be one of the Worlds most beautiful courses.

The Keswick Half started at 11:30am from Portinscale and 13.10 miles later ended up in Keswick, The Lake District. The course profile and details can be found at  www.keswickhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Good Run Guides say ‘Keswick Half Marathon is said to be one of the most scenic half marathons in the country. The challenging course takes you around Derwent Water with an extra loop into the Newlands Valley’

Dave’s day consisted of an early start to pick up his race number – nothing too auspicious here Number 419 was entered. Home for a champion’s breakfast of Co-op Strawberry Smoothie, Extreme Energy Fuel from Mountain Fuel and a Fair Trade Banana. The man was pumped and ready. Dressed in his XA Salomon Cap and Mizuno Wave Rider Shoes (yes he had other clothes on but they’re not relevant at this stage!) he set off for the easy 15-minute walk to Portinscale.

Now after days, weeks and months of training that were cloaked in a shroud of mystery (some questioned whether he had indeed done any training!! Dave?) and a nervous pre-race pee he was ready.

What was to follow was pain, pain, pain!

It was a slow and congested first mile and a half, which included 6 million hills. It was warm and very, very windy. It was either up hills or into a head wind.  Just before the 3 mile mark (approximately 30 minutes in) his first Power Bar Gel was consumed giving a much needed boost and was also the first water station.Water stations were at 3, 6, 9 and the 10.5 mile marks.

Runners Forum Member said ‘They say to expect to add on 5 minutes to your Half-Marathon PB given the hills!’ 

The 2^nd Gel was taken at the 7-mile mark  after the notorious Cat Bells ascent.

Another gel was required at the 10-mile mark but planning hadn’t allowed for this luxury and it was down to raw power and determination from here on in.

The Mexicans were sighted at the 2-mile point – Sombreros and Mexican waves were well received. These same Mexicans then appeared at the 41/2-mile mark – there was a loop in the course and they made the most of it.

There were loads of locals from the surrounding villages all out cheering and showing support.

Highlights included the pain and stopping at the end.

Lowlights were the pain and realization that a lack of training and age don’t help running a half marathon.

All in all this was a worthwhile event to be involved in. If you’ve never tried a half or want to try another, try this one out for size. Cumbria is a county of athletes that all love their running whether it’s in the fells or on the roads. The support from locals was amazing and really lifted the racers and helped them push past the pain that can become overwhelming!