HEROIC runners battled through fierce winds as they took to the roads and hills of Ulverston and the surrounding area as they took on the Hoad Hill Marathon.

Hundreds of athletes headed to Ford Park in Ulverston to run in the marathon, now in its second year.

The 26-mile route takes in some of the most beautiful terrain Furness has to offer.

It runs through Ulverston, Urswick, along the B5087 coast road and inevitably up to the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad before finishing where it began in Ford Park.

Speaking before the race got under way, event organiser Gaynor Prior of Pure Outdoors spoke about the unique nature of the route.

She said: "There are no mile markers, but we don't need those, we're trail runners after all!"

The competitors faced a better set of conditions than during the inaugural run in 2015.

Last year lashing rains added to the already monumental task that the runners faced.

Although the rain held of this year, there were still strong winds, especially as the runners reached the top of Hoad.

As the half marathon runners started to filter though, many were heard shouting to friends and family how hard the going was when they got to the top of the hill.

One of this year's competitors was Paul McKay, 50, from Leicester.

Dressed as a crusader and running with his friend Mick Allars, Mr McKay was attempting to complete his 100th marathon.

After being inspired by the London Olympics in 2012, Mr McKay decided to get into shape, and undertake the colossal challenge of running 100 marathons.

The first athlete to come through was Joe Kenny, 29, of Staveley.

He won the half marathon in a time of one hour and 30 minutes.

"The last hill was a killer," he said. "I took a little tumble coming down, but I'm alright."

Out of the women competing, the half marathon was won by Christina Wiejak, 24, of Rampside.

Miss Wiejak set an outstanding new course record for the half marathon for women with a time of one hour 40 minutes.

Not to be left out, dozens of children were in Ford Park to take part in a one mile fun run around the boundary.

Harold Yates, 10, who travelled up from Bury with his family was the winner of the fun run, closely followed by his sister, Amelia, also 10.

"It was fun, but my sore toe hurts!" said Amelia soon after she finished.

Harold and Amelia were there with their mum Michelle, to support their dad Warren who was taking part in his first marathon.

This year the event organisers had hoped to have a range of attractions and stalls out for the spectators, however those plans were thwarted due to the wind.

Mrs Prior said: "It's a bit of a skeleton park we've got this year, we were going to have more gazebos for food and physios, but with this wind they would have ended up in Morecambe Bay."

Even though the event was downsized, there were still sports rehabilitators from Designed2Run on hand to massage aching muscles, and a stall full of local food for spectators to fill up on.

Trustees of the Ford Park Community Park Group were there manning a refreshments stall, selling cups of tea and coffee as well as cakes and brownies.

Elizabeth Whittaker, of the park's trustees, said: "Even on a windy day there are still lots of people here.

"If you think about all the runners and supporters who are here today, they are all finding out about our park and who we are."

As the clouds started to part around midday, and the sun began to peek out from behind them the first finisher from the marathon came running down the park's road.

Coming in with a time of three hours and 15 minutes, John Crockett crossed the finishing line, cheered on by his wife and children.

Mr Crocket, 37, formerly of Ulverston but who now lives in Manchester, said: "Three fifteen? That sounds about right, that sounds good!"

The official number of runners has still to be verified by the event's organisers, but it is expected to be more than 200.

Mrs Prior said: "We've had a lot of entries come through on the day. I think there have been over 30 people register this morning."

Speaking about the marathon, Mrs Prior seemed very pleased with the turnout, in spite of the howling wind.

She said: "It's looking really good. Everyone looks like they're having a great time."

This year money raised by the event will be going to the Ford Park Community Group, and to St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston.

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