Keswick to Barrow walk - June 2009

DIRECTOR’S BLOG
Andrew Beeforth’s latest Cumbria Life article

see also the website http://www.cumbrialife.co.uk

June 2009

We’re all familiar with the Great North Run and the London Marathon, and many of us will have begun to be aware of the Great North swim. But I’m not sure how many people outside Barrow in Furness and West Cumbria are familiar with an equally, if not more challenging event with a longer pedigree than all of them? What am I writing about? Well it’s the Keswick to Barrow walk. I had the great privilege of being a volunteer marshal a few weeks ago and witness over two thousand people run and walk past me.

I was at the top of the hill about Skelwith Bridge where runners and walkers were already 20 miles into the 40 miles route, but despite rain, hailstones and driving wind the overwhelming impression was of beaming smiles and laughter.

The idea of walking from Keswick to Barrow originated in 1966 as a result of a statement made by the late US President, John F Kennedy to the effect that "every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day". At this time the first Polaris submarine HMS Resolution was being built at the shipyard in Barrow and several American experts were resident in the area assisting with the project.

With the idea now conceived, plans were soon under way to organise a walk and build
relationships with the crew of the submarine and the workers at the then ‘Vickers’ shipyard. The initiative was taken by the Installation Manager (Submarines) to formally challenge the Commanding Officer of HMS Resolution to form a team and walk from Keswick to Barrow (approx 50 miles) on 1st April 1967.

The walk has gone from strength to strength with a 13% increase in participants on 2008 levels all supported by a dedicated team of volunteers organising this major logistical exercise.

Through sponsorships and donations it is predicted that in the region of £230,000 will be raised for local and national charities. What is most touching is that many of the participants are raising funds for causes which are close to their hearts for reasons which are deeply personal to them.

I think this highlights one of the key drivers in people’s involvement in local charities - the ability to make a difference to an issue or a cause that they’d like to change.

Nearly 1,950 completed this year’s event. I’d like to congratulate each and every one of them on a truly magnificent achievement.

For more information about how you can be involved please visit www.keswick2barrow.co.uk.
For previous articles go to http://www.cumbriafoundation.org/news_events/index.htm
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