Where Hawkshead, Cumbria
When April 22, 2006
First Man Steve Vernon 59:39
First Woman Mary Wilkinson 1:06:43
Last Finisher 3:45:12
No. of finishers 432
The Hawkshead 15K Trail is the first of four events in the Puma Trailfox Lakeland Trail series.
Starting and finishing in the picturesque village of Hawkshead, the course winds up Claife Heights, passing through woodland, and offers stunning views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding peaks of the Langdales and Coniston Hills.
It's not all sightseeing though - there were challenging climbs including the aptly named "coffin trail" which tested even the strongest in the field. The overcast, damp conditions forced runners to take extra care on some of the descents as well as limiting the view.
Organisation was praised and a lot of effort went into entertainment should the race itself not have proven thrilling enough. Among other attractions, adults were provided for by a New Orleans jazz band and a beer tent, while children enjoyed appearances by Peter Rabbit and a professional storyteller before and after their age category races.
