Pushing limits, raising funds, and sharing laughs in the heart of the Lake District
A group of determined Liberata colleagues laced up their shoes and set off at 5 AM to tackle one of the UK’s most demanding community endurance events: the legendary Keswick to Barrow Walk (K2B). Covering a 40-mile route through the stunning yet unforgiving terrain of the Lake District, this annual charity walk has been going strong since 1967 and now draws thousands of participants each year.
This year, several brave souls from our Barrow office joined more than 3,000 walkers to raise vital funds for Headway South Cumbria, a charity supporting people with brain injuries. Their stories, filled with humour, pain, perseverance and pride, capture what this event is truly about: resilience, community and camaraderie.
Let’s meet the team.
Adam Barker – A race of mind over matter
For Facilities Manager Adam Barker, the race began 18 weeks before the start line. His training regime balanced work, family life and all the usual disruptions, eventually building to 60-mile weeks filled with long runs, hill sprints and race-day strategy sessions.
Then came the night-before gathering at Wetherspoons and a 1 AM wake-up call that made him question everything. “Those that know me know I was determined this wasn’t going to set me back, even if I was feeling a bit worse for wear,” he said.
Once underway at 5 AM, Adam settled into a rhythm with a small group of serious runners. By Elterwater, it was just him and one other, and soon he was running solo, facing down the toughest part of the race, the long stretch by Coniston Water and the looming hills ahead.
At Lowick, with 14 miles to go, Adam was greeted by a familiar face in a yellow hi-vis vest, a Customer Services colleague volunteering as chief marshal. “She always gives me some very nice words of encouragement before ushering me on,” he said. “I always look forward to seeing her there.” Adam emphasised that without marshals and volunteers like her, the event simply would not take place. Marshals like her, along with all the event’s volunteers, play a vital role in making the Keswick to Barrow Walk possible. From cheering participants on to ensuring everyone stays on track, their commitment and energy are what truly bring this event to life.
At checkpoints, his dad and brother urged him on, shouting “You’re on track” and later, “You’ve done it now, next bit’s a walk in the park.” With five miles to go and the finish line in reach, Adam’s brother called out, “There’s someone just ahead of you, go get ’em.” From there, it was game on.
Adam crossed the finish line in 5:42:44, placing 4th runner home on the day and 10th overall. He was awarded his seventh-year K2B tankard, a medal, and welcomed by the cheers of his family and the friend who inspired his fundraising.
“To me, this event is all about the community coming together, raising funds for local charities and good causes,” he said. “I’m proud to have raised £1,350 for Headway South Cumbria and the work they’ve done for my friend and his family.”
Mark Hartle – A first-time journey of grit and Guinness
Customer Services’ Mark Hartle tackled the K2B for the first time with what he described as detailed pre-race planning at Wetherspoons the night before. “It was a bit chilly at the start line”, he joked.
He set off at a strong pace but quickly realised just how many runners were overtaking him, including Sonic the Hedgehog and the Mario Brothers in full costume. By Coniston, his feet were “like mush.” But he pushed on, motivated by thoughts of a pint at the Red Lion in Lowick.
At the halfway point, Mark stopped for a swift Guinness, then braced himself for the highest stretch of the course during the hottest part of the day. “I was aware that ‘Dodger’ Daryl James was hot on my tail. Had someone given him a lift? Had he stopped to get the bus?”
With aching legs and no sign of Daryl, he pushed through Dalton with the help of a cherry Pepsi Max and ignored the bucket of bottled beers left out for walkers on Abbey Road. A water pistol attack near the finish added to the spectacle, and Mark finally crossed the line to cheers from a well-lubricated crowd.
“It was a great experience, and I couldn’t praise enough the supporters en route and the well-wishers who came out to spur us on,” he said.
Daryl James – Chaos, cramp, and chicken doner wraps
Daryl James from Customer Services completed his ninth K2B this year. You might assume that experience brings wisdom. “That’s the logic of a smart man, and I am not a smart man,” Daryl said.
He had no training, thanks to party weekends in Prague and Newcastle. He still arrived at 2.45am ready to go, but by mile 18, disaster struck. His iPod malfunctioned, turning Shania Twain into echoey drum and bass. “It was carnage for the eardrums,” he said.
Without music, the next 22 miles were a mental slog. His one motivator was making sure Mark didn’t finish ahead of him. “The thought of not finishing and him finishing made me physically sick,” he said. Blistered and limping, he dug deep and managed his usual sprint finish to give the illusion of being fine.
Then came the traditional rituals: declaring it would be his last walk, crying over the fact that the pies had sold out, and being saved by the burger van team who served up a “sensational” chicken doner wrap.
By the next morning, Daryl felt surprisingly good. “After demolishing a KFC for breakfast, I was at the pub for the football, talking about next year’s walk despite what was said 24 hours earlier,” he said.
Why we walk: More than a challenge
Behind the blisters, rain, and dodgy playlists lies a deeper purpose. The K2B is not just a physical test. It is a testament to community, perseverance and the causes that matter. For our Barrow colleagues, that meant walking in support of Headway South Cumbria and the life-changing support it offers to local people and their families.
With thousands of pounds raised and hundreds of stories shared, Liberata’s 2025 walkers once again proved that this is an event where pain and pride go hand in hand.
In addition to the efforts of our walkers, Liberata was proud to support Headway South Cumbria earlier this year with a £500 donation through the Liberata Community Fund. The fund is designed to help colleagues support meaningful causes in their communities.
A huge well done to all the participants, especially our three colleagues, for their inspiring efforts. Will you put on your running shoes or walking boots?
