By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 12:52, Monday, 08 October 2012

Nearly 2,000 competitors made it a 30th birthday to remember for the Great Cumbrian Run.

Runners close to the finishing line

Carlisle’s half marathon marked its milestone with a string of impressive times and fundraising totals.

And the weather was certainly with those taking part, with the day beginning with mist and frost which gave way to sunshine for the start of the race.

Entrants began at Carlisle Castle before pounding their way through the city centre and on to Cumwhinton, Wetheral and Scotby before returning to the city and finishing in the Sheepmount Stadium.

This year’s winner was Border Harrier Jon Fletcher, 32, of Penrith, who took the prize in a time of 71 minutes, 18 seconds.

The event attracted elite runners from clubs all over the United Kingdom.

Alongside them were fun runners taking part to raise money for charity, or simply to challenge themselves.

Race director Garry Schubert said: “I am amazed at the amount of people who came down through the castle start. They just kept on coming.

“We have a good level of club runner and I think that’s a credit to the event that it keeps on attracting good club runners from across the country.”

The race earned praise from Eilish McColgan, who presented prizes to the top entrants.

She competed for Team GB at this summer’s Olympics in the 3,000 metre steeple chase, and is the daughter of former Olympian and Sports Personality of the Year Liz McColgan.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been to Cumbria and it’s just a nice race,” she said. “The start was different to anything I have ever seen before.”

She also praised the mile and a half Fun Run which took place before the main event and was aimed at youngsters, saying this was a great way to get children involved in sport.

It was won by Matthew Salkeld, 16, of Cumwhinton – one of Cumbria’s Transplant Games victors – in five minutes 51 seconds.

More photos in today's edition of the News & Star

First published at 11:29, Monday, 08 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk