Grim up North Marathon, 13th April 2025

Lucy Ward has been in Yorkshire to run a marathon that was moved from Swinsty and Fewston (reservoirs north of Otley) to Knaresborough, This is how she got on:

“The One where I won a marathon.

I won a marathon! Not too many folk can say that ?. Ok, only 5 started, possibly due to a late change of course, but, well, you have to be in it to win it!!

I decided to tackle a marathon a month this year, despite having arthritis. It’s proving an interesting exercise. Sunday was no 4 of 12 and I’m surprised to report I’m holding steady and finding my recovery is improving each month. I’m not racing these or have a time goal which makes a significant difference, but happy to be averaging around 4hr30 for the road ones…. so far!

Sunday was a lapped event. This one was run by Grim up North. If you’ve never tried a lapped event I’d highly recommend it, just for the camaraderie and aid station tables of goodies. I think the change of course proved unpopular this time, as it was 4 ‘laps’ with 1k uphill out of Knaresborough to start before hitting the old railway. It was an out and back lap that proved pretty hard mental going in the second half. However what goes up comes down at the end of each lap and that was super!

The event also hosted a canicross, 10k, half and 20m option, so I wasn’t really alone after lap 1. That said leading the marathon runners off (before everyone else 1hr later) was pretty surreal. Also wasn’t 100% sure of the route so panicked a few times on that first lap.

The weather was kind and I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the goodies: an Easter egg, hot cross bun and homemade peanut butter flapjack at the end!

Oh and Rob’s got me a Trophy! Next up 5 of 12 is the Leeds marathon. Let’s go!”

Lucy completed the course in 4:34:39 – over 90 minutes ahead of 2nd place! You’ve got to be in it to absolutely smash it!