Eight-year-old Hawkshead School boy designs anniversary medal for Brathay's 2016 marathons

Eight-year-old Freddie Dixon’s design will appear on thousands of medals being presented to those who complete Brathay Trust’s 2016 ‘10in10’ - ten marathons in ten days – the Windermere Marathon and a new Brathay Half Marathon.

Freddie, whose family all run and support the charity’s marathon runners each year, said he was pleased and excited to win. He received a plaque with his design, a gift token and torch from Paul Dewar, owner of the Stan Laurel Inn in Ulverston. Paul is running the 10in10 next year as part of a 21-day fundraising triathlon for Brathay, which works to improve the life chances of children, young people and families by inspiring them to engage positively in their communities.

Brathay’s Sarah Thompson, who coordinated the competition with the school, said: “Every year Hawkshead School children come out to cheer on the 10in10 runners who pass their school each day. Their enthusiasm and support has a huge impact on the runners at time when they really need that morale boost.

“It’s been wonderful to have their help again in designing a special anniversary medal. The children created the designs in their art lessons with Mrs Bellis and as a result we had over 20 great entries to choose from. Freddie should be really proud of his winning design. ”

The Windermere Marathon, praised for its friendly marshals and dubbed ‘the beautiful marathon’, is an anti-clockwise 26.2-mile lap around Windermere and taking in Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.

The new Brathay Half Marathon, which will also start and end on the lawn at Brathay Hall, is a 13.1-mile route through Hawkshead to Esthwaite Water. Runners return with views of the iconic Langdales and the surrounding fells.

Those who sign up for either event by January 4 will qualify for a money-saving offer. The addition of junior races means all ages will be catered for next year.