6 iconic ultrarunning events in the Lake District, UK
1. Montane Lakeland 50 & 100
The Lakeland 100 ‘Ultra Tour of the Lake District’ is the most spectacular long distance trail race which has ever taken place within the UK. The circular route encompasses the whole of the lakeland fells, the route starts in Coniston and heads South before completing a clockwise loop.
The Lakeland 50 is run over the second half of the Lakeland 100, completing the final 50 miles of the 100 course. As it’s only half of the Lakeland 100 course it’s the easy option, right? That’s the first and worst error you could possibly make.
There is a 40-50% dropout rate in the 100 mile event and is best not approached as a first time ultrarunning event. If you’re not yet ready to step up to the full distance the 50 mile event acts as the perfect stepping stone. With its generous cut off time of 24 hours, it is possible to walk the whole course within the time limit if you travel at a steady pace continuously. You can read more about the qualification criteria for both events here.
Conditions will vary from hour to hour, with competitors needing to carry essential kit at all times. Bodies will be battered, spirits will be tested and those that cross the finish line in Coniston will earn their status and become legends!
2. The Lap
The Lap was created to provide a gateway event for runners and walkers to step up to the ultra distance, without the worry of navigation, food or exposure to really bad weather. With 5 fully stocked feed stations and a low level Lake District route, you are already on the bad weather option.
A beautiful fully sign posted trail ultramarathon, following some of the most runnable and best way-marked trails in The Lake District. Open to both runners and walkers, you’ll have 24 hours to take in all the best viewpoints as you circumnavigate England's largest and most iconic lake, Lake Windermere. The generous cut-off time makes it a great introduction to ultrarunning distances or a fast, low level option for experienced ultrarunners.
The Lap takes place twice a year. In May it is run clockwise through the bluebells and in September, anticlockwise which was the original route. Whilst there is no qualification criteria for either event, entries sell out quickly. 2023 events are full but entries for May 2024 open on 15th May 2023 and September 2024 on 11th September 2023.
3. Bob Graham Round
In 1932, a challenge was born. Bob Graham, a Keswick hotelier, on his 42nd birthday, chose to create and run his eponymous round. Connecting 42 Lake District peaks, one for each year of his life, Bob, powered by bread and butter, completed his epic circular route in a fraction shy of 24 hours. No fuss was made and he resumed work. The quietest, calmest midlife rebellion there could ever be. Yet neither Bob, nor those who supported him, could have anticipated the benchmark his achievement set.
Today the Bob Graham Round is a fell running challenge in the English Lake District which involves traversing 42 fells (hills) over a 66-mile course with 27,000 feet of elevation gain. The Bob Graham 24 Hour Club keeps track of people who have repeated the sub-24 hour, 42-peak traverse, and numerous area records. Besides the Round of 42 summits, records are also kept for the most summits in 24 hours, as well as for the rare Double Bob Graham. The only rule is that you must be accompanied by someone over each of the peaks so they can vouch that you have completed all 42.
Along with the Paddy Buckley Round and the Ramsay Round, the Bob Graham Round is one of the classic big three mountain challenges in the UK. The women's record is 14hr 34m set by Beth Pascall in 2020. The round may be attempted either clockwise or anti-clockwise, provided that the start and finish is at the Moot Hall, Keswick.
If you’re looking for a serious running challenge, this is it. The classic Bob Graham is the toughest ultra running route in England and, since Kilian Jornet set a blistering new speed record in 2018, which has since been broken, the reputation of the Round has gone global. Have you got what it takes to complete it?
4. Helvellyn Sky Ultra
Inspired by the great ultra distance Sky Races of Europe the Helvellyn Sky Ultra™ is one of the most technically demanding marked races in the Lake District with wonderful terrain demanding that the competitors have superb mountain skills.
With 57 km of Lake District paths, trails and rock and 3700m of ascent, the route will test your endurance level to the limit. But stamina alone won’t get you to the finish line! You’ll need a good head for heights and nerves of steel if you’re going to traverse five of the most amazing ridge lines in the Lake District.
Whilst there is no vetting for this ultrarunning event, it’s absolutely not for the faint hearted. From grassy trods and well-worn mountain paths, to bare rock and scree, bog and open fell, it is an epic day out to say the least!
For 2023, the Lake District Sky Trails who organise the Helvellyn Sky Ultra also released other new events. Place Fell is a semi technical 15km trail running event that takes place in the Ullswater Valley as part of the Helvellyn Sky Ultra weekend. A tough but attainable event that serves as a great intro into more technical ultrarunning events in the Lake District.
5. Lake District Challenge
Take on England’s finest countryside at your pace. The Challenge base-camp is in Kendal, and ahead lies some of England’s finest scenery. There are 100 km of trails, high passes, stunning scenery, Ambleside, the magnificent Lake Windermere, nature reserves, forests, and over 2,500 m of climb before a huge welcome and celebration as you return back to Base Camp after a momentum journey.
The 2 Day Full 100km Challenge breaks down the 100km Kendal looped route into 2 halves – of 49 km on Day 1 (Sat) and then 51 km on Day 2 (Sun) – and you’ll get to experience this fantastic route, with its stunning views, in daylight. You’ll also have the opportunity to get some well earned rest & sleep overnight at our halfway venue with indoor accommodation at the YMCA. A great way to take on an epic challenge!
Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, an experienced trekker, a marathon enthusiast upping the distance, or a seasoned ultra runner after UTMB points – there’s an Ultra Challenge® for you!
Walk, Jog, or Run – as an Individual or a Team, for a charity of your choice or just for you. The Lake District Ultra Challenge is fun, safe, and rewarding – with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further in some of England’s finest scenery.
6. Silva Lakes Traverse
A 100KM ultra following Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route. This race starts with the SILVA Northern Traverse in St. Bees and crosses the entire Lake District, finishing in Shap. The route traverses Ennerdale, Borrowdale, over Grasmere Common and Fairfield, through Patterdale, over Kidsty Pike and along Haweswater into Shap.
This is a challenging yet beautiful ultra, and a great stepping stone for those aspiring to enter the SILVA Northern Traverse. You'll have 28 hrs to complete the race, from the western coast, a total of 12000 feet of ascent over 60 miles, this is a challenging yet beautiful ultramarathon.
Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk is by far the most popular long distance trail in Britain, and one of the world's great walks.From the Irish Sea at St. Bees Head, it winds its way across Northern England, 190 miles or so, to the North Sea shoreline at Robin Hood's Bay. On the way it passes through three National Parks: The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
Taking in iconic mountains, valleys, moors, 300 km and ~6,500m of ascent, the SILVA Northern Traverse is one of the most spectacular self-supported ultra races in the world.
Ready to join a team trailblazing women for the Uk’s legendary Lakeland 50 & 100 2024 event?
Make sure to add your name and email below to be the first to know when this next chapter of Breaking 250 kicks off.
— Ballot opens September 1st 2023
— Programme begins Oct/Nov 2023