Great Cumbrian Run in Carlisle hailed big success

By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 08:25, Thursday, 23 October 2008

Nearly 1,900 runners pounded streets and roads in and around Carlisle yesterday in the Great Cumbrian Run.

Great Cumbrian Run 2008: results and stats
Video: The Great Cumbrian Run

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Elite athletes and eager runners braved breezy and cold autumnal conditions to complete the half-marathon.

And they helped make history, becoming the first competitors in the event to run through Carlisle city centre as part of a new-look route.

Runners left Carlisle Castle at 9.30am and most were back at the finish line - in the Sheepmount sports stadium - early in the afternoon. CFM presenter Robbie Dee started the race.

The main event was won by David Kirkland, who completed the course in one hour, 10 minutes and 40 seconds.

More than 500 people took part 1.5-mile fun run around the Sheepmount.

Many of those who took part in the runs were raising money for charities.

The half-marathon – expected to raise £100,000 for local charities – saw runners flying the flag for Cumbrian Cerebral Palsy, the British Red Cross and many more causes.

Some ran to support a friend or relative, or in memory of a loved one.

Family and neighbours of four-year-old Olivia Story, who lost her legs and arms to meningitis at the age of two, turned out to support runner Jimmy Brown.

Jimmy, who works at the Sheepmount, ran the half marathon to raise money for Olivia’s future medical treatment.

Her dad Mike Story, 31, of Carlisle, said: “Olivia has a trust fund for when she’s older, because the NHS don’t provide prosthetic limbs with mechanical joints. It costs about £12,500 per leg and she’s going to need two pairs a year as she grows.”

Learning disabled Maureen Carrigan, 50, of Carlisle, took part in the Fun Run to raise money for Parkinson’s sufferers.

She ran alongside her friend Liz Devaney, 50, a volunteer with charity the Friendship Support Scheme.

Maureen said: “I wanted to do it because my dad died of Parkinson’s this year in February. I’ve raised quite a bit of money and we really enjoyed it.”

Liz, also of Carlisle, added: “The atmosphere was very good on the fun run - we had a lot of encouragement. We’ve been friends about two years and we do lots of things together, like bowling, shopping and going to the pictures.”

In the one mile wheelchair race, relatives showed up from as far as Yorkshire to support David Boardman, 49, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

He raised more than £200 for Cumbria Cerebral Palsy, describing the experience as “marvellous.”

David, who lives in a disabled home near Carlisle, was cheered on by his twin brother Peter, from Irthington.

He said: “We always try and support him when he does anything. We’ll be having a trip round the Lakes later on.”