34 Freemasons and family members from the Furness and South Lakeland Group assisted with the marshalling of the Windermere Brathay Marathon. Around 1,100 runners (a big spike in numbers compared to last year) braved fairly warm and dry conditions to raise funds for the Brathay Trust.
Supported by group chairman Chris Gray and vice chairman Harry Chatfield and organised by group charity steward Paul Ackred, the volunteers manned the western half of the route’s junctions, pinch-points and feeding stations to keep the runners fuelled appropriately against the conditions. 15 brethren met up at 07:00hrs, en route for a safety briefing and handout of information packs while others had already made their way to the start point at an earlier time.
From the packed start close to Waterhead, Ambleside, the roads between Windermere and Esthwaite Water made for some lovely quiet vehicle free running. The marshal’s main task of the day is to maintain a safe gap between runners and all other road traffic, on the course and especially at junctions and intersections. Road closure orders are used to increase safety along the narrower stretches.
Paul Ackred was full of praise for his team saying that the marathon was a gloriously sunny and successful day and he thanked all those brethren and their families, who gave up their time to marshal the event. The Brathay Trust fundraising manager stated that this key event brings in a huge amount of money, which helps to fund all of the support and activities that the Trust provide.
Group chairman Chris Gray thanked Paul and his team for their diligence, time and support on a Sunday morning, (and to Paul especially for his work prior to the event) .Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield expressed his gratitude for the many members of local lodges who have worked visibly in a high-profile endeavour for the greater good, saying: “Truly heart-warming, Freemasons visible and actively supporting their community.”
The Windermere Brathay Marathon is one of a small handful of marathons run entirely within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is described as being one of the UK’s ‘most scenic and challenging’ courses and dates back to the 1980’s. The original course took place in 1982 and was restaged by the Brathay Trust itself from 2007 until 2024.
The Brathay Trust works in several areas, offering courses in personal and professional development, notably with young people who are victims of circumstance – not victims themselves. They are supported at Brathay Hall and also out in the community where they become more self-aware and are able to find the potential and resilience, they never knew they had.
