Last updated 19:23, Thursday, 30 October 2008

THE 49th Derwentwater Ten road running race will be held on Sunday.

The event, organised by Keswick Athletic Club and sponsored by Mizuno athletic shoe company in association with Pete Bland Sports of Kendal, has been held continuously since 1960.

This classic race is as popular as ever, attracting about 500 competitors from all over the UK to run the spectacular course around Derwentwater in autumnal splendour.

Competitors this year will include several previous winners, including the legendary Ron Hill, who will be wearing number one.

He recently turned 70 and, after many years, achieved another of his objectives by racing in his 100th country, the Faroe Islands.

Keswick School at Crosthwaite is the venue but the race will start in the Market Square at 12noon.

The course runs down the Borrowdale road, crosses Grange bridge, along the flank of Catbells, through Portinscale to finish at Keswick School. The leaders will finish at approximately 12.50pm.

Competitors have been advised to share cars or park in Keswick town to avoid congestion around Crosthwaite.

A bonus of £200 will be paid to the winner if the course record of 49 minutes 15 seconds is beaten.

This was set by Keswick athlete Kenny Stuart in 1986. Several runners have been close to the record. Stephen Hepples of Redcar missed it by a minute and Andi Jones of Salford by 23 seconds.

A hat-trick of wins was achieved last year by Rebecca Robinson, running for Kendal AC. Each year she has edged closer to the ladies’ record, last year missing by only half a minute the time of 56.59 set by Lorna Irving in 1986, running for Edinburgh.

The Grant Horsburgh Cup, in memory of the local popular all-round sportsman, is awarded to the first Keswick AC member to finish.

Martin Sluce will be aiming for a hat-trick this year.