The Keswick to Barrow Walk, also known as the K2B, is a 40 mile charity walking and running event which takes place annually in May in Cumbria, England, between Keswick and Barrow-in-Furness. The walk passes through much of the Lake District. It allows participants to run or walk as they choose. Most choose to walk, while the running contingent compete for the fastest runner trophy.
The walk has it origins in a 1966 challenge between a team of American experts working on the construction of HMS Resolution in Barrow, and local workers from Vickers, the owners of Barrow's shipyard.[1] The challenge was inspired by American President John F. Kennedy's recommendation that "every American should be capable of walking 50 miles a day"[1] The original walk started at the Castlerigg Stone Circle, roughly 50 miles from Barrow, but the length of the walk was in following years reduced to around 40 miles, starting south of Keswick.[1] The walk proved popular and became an annual event. By 1974 it had 1,500 participants,[1] and has continued to grow. Entry is currently capped at 2,900 walkers for logistical reasons,[2] and the event is regularly oversubscribed.
For many years, the route began at Rough How Bridge on the A591 three miles south of Keswick.[3] However, for the walk's fiftieth anniversary in 2016 and again in 2017, the start was moved to near Castlerigg Stone Circle, increasing the distance to around 43 miles. The walk follows minor roads along the west of Thirlmere, before climbing up Dunmail Raise. It passes through the village of Grasmere and over Red Bank into Elterwater and on to Coniston. Walkers then continue along the east bank of Coniston Water to the village of Lowick, before passing over Kirkby Moor, the walk's highest elevation. The route then continues into Low Furness and the village of Marton, passing the South Lakes Wild Animal Park on its way to Dalton-in-Furness. The final stretch runs close to Furness Abbey, before ending at the Hawcoat Park Sports Club in Hawcoat, Barrow.[4] The shorter Coniston to Barrow walk is aimed at teenagers, and joins the main route in Coniston.[5]
Competitors enter in teams of between 6 and 12,[6] and prizes are awarded to both individuals and teams.[7] The competition retains a close association with BAE Systems, current owners of Barrow's shipyard, and teams from the armed forces, with prizes for the best performers among both groups[7] Competitors must raise a minimum of £80 for charity for their entry to be accepted.[8] Up to 2016, more than £3.7M has been donated to charities over the history of the walk.
^ abcd"History". Keswick to Barrow. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"Sign-Up Opens for Keswick to Barrow Walk". Carlisle News & Star. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"Health service teams to walk miles for charity". University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Health Trust. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"The Route: A Closer Look". Keswick to Barrow. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"Thousands Complete 48th Keswick To Barrow". North West Evening Mail. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"Keswick to Barrow". About the Walk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^ ab"Trophies and Records". Keswick to Barrow. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
^"Disclaimer and Privacy". Keswick to Barrow. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
The KeswicktoBarrow Walk, also known as the K2B, is a 40 mile charity walking and running event which takes place annually in May in Cumbria, England...
K2B may refer to: Karma to Burn, a band from Morgantown, West Virginia KeswicktoBarrow, an annual 40-mile charity walking race in Cumbria, England Haplogroup...
Millom and Barrow-in-Furness saw large iron and steel mills develop, with Barrow also developing a significant shipbuilding industry. Kendal, Keswick and Carlisle...
uk. Retrieved 7 October 2021. "Last chance to have your say on boundary changes in Cumbria - The Keswick Reminder". 8 November 2022. Retrieved 13 December...
Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway, now closed, called at a station in Braithwaite. Braithwaite is situated next to the fell called Barrow. A small...
notably the A591 which runs north-westwards from Kendal to Windermere and then on toKeswick. It continues up the east side of Bassenthwaite Lake. "The...
Castlerigg Stone Circle (alternatively Keswick Carles, or Carles) is situated on a prominent hill to the east of Keswick, in the Lake District National Park...
Keswick railway station was on the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway between Penrith and Cockermouth in Cumberland (now in Cumbria), England. It...
family of Keswick, Cumberland. He matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford on 22 February 1605 aged 15. He entered Gray's Inn, where he was called to the bar...
Counties Championship and MCCA Knockout Trophy matches. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972, Barrow-in-Furness was administered as part of Lancashire, after...
busy tourist town of Keswick. Its distinctive shape catches the attention of many visitors to the Lakes who feel compelled to climb to the summit after seeing...
played as a striker for Workington. Rigg has previously played for Keswick, Penrith, Barrow , Queen of the South and Carlisle United in two spells with the...
District in Cumbria, England. It is located 6 kilometres (4 miles) west of Keswick in the north western part of the national park and is a smaller member...
station (also known as Barrow Shipyard and locally simply as Shipyard station) was a railway station at the centre of Barrow Island, Barrow-in-Furness, England...
Alan Heaton between 29 June and 8 July 1985 starting and finishing at Keswick Moot Hall, with a total time of 9 days and 16 hours. Joss Naylor completed...
the Newlands Valley, 5 kilometres (3 miles) south-west of the town of Keswick. Even though it has a modest height of 637 metres (2,090 ft) it is one...
A591 road, linking it to Windermere and Keswick, and by the A590 leading toBarrow. It is also the end point of the A65 road to Kirkby Lonsdale, Skipton...
to Radio Times Printing dispute. Note Genome only lists 32 episodes due to 16 April 1998 being unscheduled. Note Genome only lists 36 episodes due to...