Marathon fever hit the United Kingdom in the early 1980s with races being held in towns and cities throughout the land. In 1982 Windermere Marathon was organised by Kendal Athletic Club and Windermere Rotary Club and took place on October 31. The event was officially started by footballer Emlyn Hughes, who was in jokey mood at the rain lashed down on the day. FINISH: Melanie Jones, of Essex Ladies, was the first woman to finish in 1982 in 2 hrs 55 mins “It’s been cancelled - come back tomorrow!” he told the twitching queue to nervous runners. But by then nothing could have stopped the 1,600 athletes about to take part.”