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Ben Abdelnoor & Sarah Ridehalgh win Dirty Double, but ‘Gingerbread Man’, Lee Richards Takes the Biscuit

News Release / 16.11.2011

A new record number of 1600 competitors took part in the final Lakeland Trails “Dirty Double” events at Glenridding in the Lake District over the bonfire weekend. Glorious autumnal sunshine greeted visitors from all over the UK, along with a large contingent of French runners, and international visitors from USA, Australia, Belgium, Germany and Ireland.

Winner of Saturday’s 15km Helvellyn Trail Race was James Smith, Leeds City AC, in 53.01, with John Brown, Salford Harriers, runner up in 54.19 and Ben Hope, Woodford Green, in third in 55.34. Cambridge’s Emma Pooley, won the women’s race in 62.51, with GB International Susan Partridge in second place in 63.54 and Sarah Ridehalgh, Accrington Road Runners in third in 64.28.

The Segretta Stompers New Orleans Jazz Band performed throughout the day, entertaining 1000 competitors and the crowds of spectators.

Sunday’s event, the 2011 Lakeland Trails Finale, involved 600 competitors taking a half hour cruise on board the Ullswater Steamer “Lady of the Lake” whilst being serenaded by singer/songwriter Pete Lashley. The race then started from the hamlet of Howtown, along the 14km Ullswater Trail, widely regarded as the “most scenic lakeside trail in the UK”, finishing by Glenridding Pier.

GB International, Ben Abdelnoor, Ambleside AC, dominated the event, finding the undulating course to his liking and winning in a fine 54.01. Second was Bromsgrove’s Adam Lloyd in 57.44 and third, Ian Hunter, Kimberley & District Striders in 61.10. Another local athlete, Rebecca Sheffield, from Windermere, won the ladies race in 64.52, from runner up Sarah Ridehalgh, Accrington Road Runners, in 66.09 and GB International, Susan Partridge, Leeds City AC in 69.53.

Ben and Sarah collected original works of art from Lakeland Trails artist in residence, Shane Green, for winning the weekend’s “Dirty Double” award, combining their times from both Saturday’s Helvellyn Trail and Sunday’s Ullswater Trail. However, the biggest cheer went up for the Gingerbread Man, Lee Richards, running the event for charity, who finished in an amazing 107.24.

A record amount of over £5, 000 was raised for various national and regional charities, including Help For Heroes and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The event was also supporting the regional charities Cancer Care and North West Air Ambulance.

Main partners of the event were lifetsyle brand PUMA, Ullswater Steamers, R and R Photos, VO2 Max Events along with Eden District Council, Pete Bland Sports, Trailrunning.co.uk and Wilson’s Kendal mint cake.

Discounted early bird entry is now open for the 2012 Lakeland Trails events, including a brand new series of 10km Lakeland Trail Runs at every venue, and the 2nd Lakeland Trails Marathon in Coniston, “the most picturesque marathon in the UK”.

The 2012 series opener is at Cartmel Racecourse, on 17th March 2012, when every finisher is rewarded with a locally produced sticky toffee pudding for their efforts, along with an event finishers technical T shirt memento.

See <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.lakelandtrails.org')" class="main"> www.lakelandtrails.org</a> for more details.