THE mighty Keswick to Barrow Walk has been a fixture of the Cumbrian calendar for decades, with the shipyard involved right from the beginning.

In recent years the 40-mile endurance event has raised many thousands of pounds for charities across the country.

 Runners have set record times, people have competed in fancy dress, work mates have come together, and families have competed as one.

This year Covid-19 restrictions mean the event has gone back to its 1967 roots of just two teams taking part - one from Barrow shipyard, the other from the Royal Navy - competing for the Resolution Cup. This year's combatants are determined to put on a good show on September 26 and raise as much as possible for charity.

Craig Bland, chairman of the K2B committee and a director at BAE Systems Submarines, said: "The blisters, sweat and tears of these 'heroes' keeps the K2B walk tradition going and offers an opportunity for us all to raise money and support a number of charities that desperately need and deserve support, particularly this year during these difficult times."

In a normal year, the walk would give away around £350,000 to charities and good causes. Craig said: "While it would be great to be in a position where we could still achieve this amount, realistically we know this will be a stretch but we are still committed to raising as much money as possible in these challenging times."

For an event that started out as a friendly challenge between the crew of the first submarine to carry the UK's nuclear deterrent and the Barrow shipbuilders who built her, the K2B has become a cornerstone of charitable donation.

It's estimated almost £4million has been raised for good causes by people who have collectively walked over 2.5 million miles. Over 200 local and regional charities benefit from the event including St Mary's Hospice, the mental health charity Mind, Rosemere Cancer Foundation and Barrow Food Bank.

The gruelling route, through some of the county's best-known countryside, also provides a great opportunity for some friendly competition. The Royal Navy team needs no reminding that it has only won once in 25 years.

Leading the Royal Navy team this year is Petty Officer Wayne Dawson, a physical trainer. He said: "Seven of the 10 people in our team have never done it before. And the Navy have only won the cup once in the past 25 years. That's why I want this challenge."

Leading the shipyard team, BAE Systems principal designer Stewart Backen is a race veteran.

He said: "Our team's current line-up has achieved 172 completed walks between them with one of the team having completed the walk 31 times himself.

"The Navy team will be younger and maybe fitter than us, but we are hoping our experience will mean the shipyard winning that cup again this year."

Visit: keswick2barrow.co.uk for information on how to support the charities this year.