Kielder Half-marathon, 4th October 2026

Cate Walker-Johnson reports from a cloudy Kielder Water:

“I always like to do an Autumn half and this year I thought I’d challenge myself with my first trail half. I’d read race reports from Kielder from the last few years and my interest was piqued by descriptions of the beautiful views, undulations (rather than solid climbs, I was reassured) and well organised buses from Newcastle. All of these things proved to be the case in practice and I really enjoyed my run.

Arriving early to the coach pick up point next to Central Station, we avoided getting on the leisurely day trip coach picking up from the same place (“this confusion happens every year” said one seasoned runner, as we watched more than a few runners try to board alongside the relaxed day trippers and I recalled Izzy writing about this a few years back). Once on the bus it was a very scenic but slightly travel sickness-inducing journey to the westernmost parts of Northumberland. Thankfully we had a good amount of time before we were running for any sickness to dissipate.

Claremonters running this year were myself, Sarah Kerr, Andrew Hales-Hill, and Nina Jensen (on pacing duties) in the Half, and Charlotte Kerr in the junior race, which started in the same place we would finish. Laurie had come along as a spectator and of course did an excellent job moonlighting as a course photographer of us Claremonters. The shuttle bus running alongside the lake aided this task considerably.

Laurie and I found Nina early on, and were later joined by Sarah, who I was able to warm up with. There was a lovely, relaxed feel to the race set off, with spectators able to stay in the ‘pen’ area until just before we set off. Although it initially felt a bit bracing to take off the Claremont hoodie we all agreed on the startline that conditions were as close to ideal as possible – about 11 degrees, very little wind, cloudy but still with clear views of the lake and only the slightest trace of drizzle threatening.

I didn’t have too set expectations on my finish time as this was a new endeavour for me, but I thought I would aim for around 9:30 minute miles on average and thus a few minutes over 2 hours. The opening stretch of the run over the dam was flat so I thought I would make the most of this, soon settling into about 8:40 pace. I was able to retain this for the most part for about the first five miles, amidst the undulations (which were nicely balanced, downhills almost always following inclines).

After the 5th mile we climbed a slightly more extended incline, and I began to dread the part of the race I’d heard the most about – the switchback climb at mile eight. Fairly soon, however, we were back into mostly enjoyable and manageable undulations, always with views of the lake through the trees, and the dread was tempered.

I heard the switchback section before I saw it. There was a DJ halfway up the section, but what was more audible was the sound of supporting spectators cheering us all on as we slogged up. This made this actually one of the most fun and definitely the most memorable parts of the race. I told myself that, even if I didn’t run all the way up, I would run until I saw Laurie. As it happened he was spectating from almost the top of the switchbacks so I made it running all the way to the top.

The final five miles after the switchback were definitely a lot harder going and I was glad I’d bought myself time with some faster miles at the start. The stunning scenery and fantastic marshal support remained until the end, however, and so, despite it feeling like hard work, I still really enjoyed the closing miles. As I got to the ten mile mark not long after 1 hour 30 (incidentally around the time Sarah was finishing in a brilliant third female place!) I felt confident I should finish in under 2 hours 5 minutes.

Eventually I got to the final descent and ran towards the line as the stopwatch clicked onto 2 hours 2 minutes. Waiting to greet me at the finish line were Laurie, Sarah and Charlotte, the latter with a sign saying “Go on Cate!”. I quickly found out that Sarah had finished third lady, and Charlotte was the second girl to finish in the junior race (time and distance yet to be properly verified!). Congratulations to both, to Nina for finishing within an incredibly accurate 20 seconds of the time she was pacing, and to Andrew for his first outing in a Claremont vest for a few months.

Overall, a fantastic experience and one I hope I will repeat!!”

Junior ‘Falcon’ Run (U15)
Position	Runner	Time
9	Charlotte Kerr (2nd Female)	7:45

Half-marathon
Position	Runner	Time
26	Sarah Kerr (3rd Female, 2nd VF45)	1:33:13
373	Cate Walker-Johnson	2:02:10
680	Nina Jensen (2:20 pacer)	2:19:44
898	Andrew Hales-Hill	2:37:22