Lakeland 100 Ultra Marathon

The Lakeland 100 (The Ultra Tour of the Lake District) is an epic 100 mile long distance trail race which takes place on the weekend of July 31st – August 2nd 2009. The event is set in the stunning scenery of the lake district and the 100 mile circular route is made up entirely by footpaths and public bridleways. Bear in mind though that just because the route is made up of paths and bridleways, it doesn’t mean that its always easy going as in the lakes bridleways can be very rugged, covered with rocks or have nearly disappeared into bog.

The Lakeland 100 route

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.

What the route planners had to say:

The relentless succession of hills, with a number of typical steep Lakeland ascents, add up to a total of 6800m of climb. Throw in the mix of rough downhills and exhilarating fast descents and you’ve got an event that will challenge both body and mind. The route will take you through many lakeland valleys where, if you’re used to being up on the soaring ridges, you’ll see the lakes and mountains from a completely different perspective. And, although the route never actually attains a true summit, (although it comes close when traversing Wether Hill) it does cross 12 passes and cols which provide some stunning panoramas.

It’s a stunning route with something for everyone: grassy paths, well benched tracks, boggy moorland trods, an old railway line, typical rugged lakeland footpaths and very occasional tarmac.

So if you feel like spending close to 40 hours running 100 miles around the lakes then have a look at the lakeland 100 website at http://www.lakeland100.com. Alternatively if you fancy something easier why not have a look at the lakeland 50 which is a shortened version starting on the saturday.

For advice on training and equipment have a look at our mountain marathon kit list advice and mountain marathon training tips.  While ultra running is a slightly different kettle of fish most of the same advice applies