Over 1,200 take to the streets in Carlisle half marathon

As part of the Carlisle half marathon and 10k, runners began to gather in and around Warwick Road from 8am and were welcomed into the stadium by AFC Fylde stadium announcer Brian Porter.

Nervous runners waiting to set off (Image: Isaac Cooper)After assembling outside the east stand at Brunton Park, the run was officially started by Ian Milburn at 9am and 1,270 runners set off and travelled down Warwick Road before heading through the city to Bitts Park and on to Stanwix.

At Stanwix those who completed the 10k turned through Rickerby Park and headed back to the finish line Brunton Park. Those who were doing the half marathon (13.1 miles) ran out to Crosby-on-Eden before turning back and heading to the finish line.

In order to facilitate the event, roads were closed across the city and hundreds of volunteers acted as marshals along the route to help the runners on their way.

Runners representing People First Cumbria (Image: Isaac Cooper)This year’s event saw the largest number of runners in its history and it had a mixture of fun runners, charity fundraisers and ambitious racers.

Runner Jamie Thompson said that he was ‘nervous’ before taking to the route but added that it was a ‘great day’ for running.

“The route looks good to be honest and it’s great that such a big event like this can be held in Carlisle – I’ll be back next year," said Jamie.

The main charity partner for this year’s Carlisle half marathon was the Eden Valley Hospice who said they were ‘delighted and proud’ to be the charity partner.

READ MORE: 'Make time for Cumbria’s 8,000 Young Carers' says local charity

Other charities which were being represented included People First Cumbria, Mind, Teenage Cancer Trust, and the Doddie Weir Foundation.

The finish line next to the pitch at Brunton Park (Image: Isaac Cooper)Running clubs from across Cumbria, Scotland, the North East and the North West were all well represented as the event cemented itself as one of the region’s premier half marathons.