Gin Pit Marathon 2022 – Race Report

This year we were incredibly luck with the weather glorious sunshine on the Saturday and almost the same on the Sunday with just the occasional fluffy cloud creating a few moments of shade. This might sound perfect running conditions but as we are coming out of winter and we have all been training in the cold, lots of us experienced dehydration, particularly on day one, myself included.

It was lovely to able to hold the event once again, after Covid stopped us last year. We hit the entry limit, although there was no waiting list for the first time. Lots of the runners have now become “Regulars” to the event and are good friends so it was lovely to see them all. Also, it was great to welcome the runners who were joining us for the first time.

We had a great battle at the front on day 1 between Gareth Tomlinson and Simon Fawcett. They were that quick that our third check point on the canal wasn’t set up when they got there and Gareth took the two of them along the old course which used to continue further along the canal instead of coming off. They went on to do about 3 extra miles before finding their way back onto the correct course. Gareth still finished in 3 hours 14 minutes 59 seconds, an amazing time considering the length of his detour! First home for the ladies was Susan Clapham in 3 hours 53 minutes 45 seconds.

Day two’s winner was Lawrence Eccles in the fastest time for the weekend with 3 hours 6 minutes 21 seconds. Gareth couldn’t make it two wins in two days and came third but still became double king of the Gin Pit for 2022. For the ladies, the day two winner was Amena Madden from Liverpool in a very credible 4 hours 17 minutes 5 seconds. The double queen of the Gin Pit 2022 went to a very surprised Jane Graney on her first attempt at the Gin Pit Double. This year we had 24 runners complete the double.

For the Gin Pit Half, we had Tim Campbell fly round to win in 1:21:57 and for the ladies it was Gillian Verin who came in first with 1:31:57 and a shiny new personal best!

There were a few other very noticeable achievements I would like to mention;

We had Michael Pate join us for the weekend and he had already run 3 marathons on the previous 3 days so completed 5 marathons in 5 days, what a fantastic effort Michael!

On Day 2 and also doing the double was Jonathan Carter, who notched up his 200^th marathon on day 2, what a brilliant lifetime achievement.

I would also like to mention Andrew Farrell for coming into the event with what seemed to be under prepared and still managed a 10 minute PB. There were also PB’s from Paul Johnson, Lisa Hiles, Danny Burgess and Lauren Howard. These are just the ones I know about, I’m sure there are a few more of you out there, well done to you all.

I’m sure there were also many more personal achievements, well done to one and all!

At this point I need to thank all the helpers. I know I say it every year but without all of you, I could   not hold the event and it definitely wouldn’t be the success it is. Firstly I must thank my family, Yuk-Lam, Abbey and Lucas, who have been brilliant over the weekend and in the lead up to the event.

I also want to give a big thank you to all the Check Point marshals;

On Saturday Chris, Jon, Louise and Nicola.

On Sunday Rachel, Claire, Joan, Roger, Andrew, Simon and Vikki.

You were all brilliant with the runners and I appreciate all time you gave up to help.

Also, I would like to thank Tom Tomlinson who took lots of photos of the runners, which I will share.

Lastly, I am pleased to announce that the event has made £1584.06 for the Brathay Trust.