The Lakeland 100 'Ultra Tour of the Lake District' is taking place this coming weekend. If that seems a tall order there's always the Lakeland 50, a slightly 'easier' half-length version (though that's only relative).
© Dan Bailey
Billed as 'the most spectacular long distance trail race [that] has ever taken place within the UK' the 100-mile circular route encompasses practically the whole of Lakeland, and clocks up in the region of 6300m of ascent. The route starts in Coniston and heads South before completing a clockwise loop which takes in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere before arriving in Keswick. From here the route heads to Matterdale and continues over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston. The course does not pass over any of the popular summits but instead weaves through the hills; perhaps that's just as well.
The 40-hour event is continous in nature, and the winners are generally expected to finish close to the 23 hour mark though the odd bit of sleep at intermediate checkpoints is possible. Unsurprisingly, the drop out rate is around 60-70%.
For those who are merely superhuman the Lakeland 50 event takes in just the second half of the 100 course starting at Dalemain north of Ullswater, and even this is the equivalent of two marathons with a hefty 3100m ascent on rough ground thrown in. A keen member of team UKC will be participating in this (rather him than us), so we'll hope to bring you more next week.
Lakeland 100: 5:30pm, Friday July 29 - 9:30am, Sunday July 31
Lakeland 50: Noon, Saturday July 30 - Noon, Sunday July 31
For more see the website.
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