Last updated 20:19, Thursday, 17 July 2008

THE New Balance Newlands Valley Round race, organised by Keswick Athletic Club, takes place on Wednesday starting at 7.30pm.

The venue is the Newlands Adventure Centre - at Stair, for this traditional race formerly known as the Swinside Six.

It continues in popularity using a new venue and on a quieter and safer route, measuring 9km.

Starting at Stair, it runs through Swinside, Little Braithwaite, the Newlands valley road to the smouldering remains of Purple House and then returning via Little Town to finish at Stair.

Last year 130 competitors ran this demanding course.

The terrain may suit local road and fell runners, but the field will also include a number of visitors staying in the area.

There may be some traffic congestion at Stair.

A number of Keswick AC members are now well on their way to completing the Lakeland Classics challenge after the Wasdale Fell Race.

The top two were the same at Ennerdale but in reverse with Iain Kelly (21st) able to come in a number of minutes ahead of Steve Hebblethwaite (25th).

Dave Owens, who has seen a fair bit of Wasdale in the last month having recently completed the Joss Naylor challenge, finished 34th here and was third MV50.

Other Keswick runners who can now add Wasdale to the Ennerdale for 2008 include Neil Thompson (42nd), Andrew Murray (78th), Jo Moore (104th) and Lucy Dunn (118th).