With the Keswick to Barrow only a few weeks away, the light is being shone on the preparations which make the event as special as it is and this year's route.

With only four weeks left until the big walk day on May 11, the K2B Committee has stepped up through the gears to make sure the event runs as smoothly as always.

Those who competed last year may remember that at a very late stage the course was changed due to “The Beast from the East” which brought down many trees on the West side of Thirlmere.

Sadly despite the very best efforts of United Utilities to whom the committte are eternally grateful, this part of the course is still impassable so it will not be possible to include this area in the 2019 walk.

As a result, the this year's course will be starting from the same point as 2018, namely Swirls near the top of Thirlmere.

Walkers will then follow the East side of the lake before joining up with the normal route west of the A591 at Steel End.

Those still hoping to sign up should be aware the shorter Coniston to Barrow walk is now full.

Team coordinators can only swap out new walkers and not add to their teams.

There are also still a small number of walkers who have not paid their registration fee.

This must be done this week as the committee will be deleting those walkers who have not paid the registration fee over the Easter weekend.

The committee is also encouraging participants to check they have the correct bus pick up point as from April 21 you will not be able to change this.

If you have not been receiving the countdown emails (50 and 35 day’s already sent) then please contact a member of the committee by email as soon as possible.

This year bus tickets will be sent to your registered email so you need to be sure this email address is correct.

Last year due to the late changes in the route the normal runners bus was cancelled.

The committee is delighted to report that this year a 52 seater runners bus has been allocated.

Anyone who has not already been contacted about this but considers themselves a competition runner please email the committee with your Member ID and Pickup point from the following locations.

The Ferry, Strawberry, Tudor Square, Tank Square and Haverthwaite Bus Stop.

These seats are strictly on a first come first served basis.

New times have been introduced for the cut off times at various checkpoints.

The committee is keen to stress the cut off points are not to be kill joys but is part of their duty to protect the health and wellbeing of not just the walkers but also the marshals and volunteers.

The new times which also form part of our terms and conditions are 4.40 pm at the Red Lion at Lowick, 6.30pm at the Rakes Checkpoint, 7.30pm at Marton and 8.30pm at Dalton Fire Station.

Finally, the Committee hope everyone is hard in training, looking forward to the event and most of all continuing to collect sponsorship for the charities which after all is the primary reason behind the walk.

For all queries email support@keswick2barrow.co.uk and for the full route map visit www.keswick2barrow.co.uk.