Lakeland Trails finale

After another hugely successful race series this year, the finale of the 2019 Lakeland Trails took place at the weekend (26th and 27th October). The event village in Glenridding served the Helvellyn Trails on the Saturday and Sunday’s Ullswater Trails for almost 2000 runners and their supporters and families.

Runners had a choice of distances on both days, with 5k, 10k and 15k options for the Helvellyn Trail Runs on Saturday, and 10k or 14k options for Sunday’s Ullswater Trails. Those brave enough could go for the ‘Dirty Double’, running on both days and enjoying a whole weekend in and around Glenridding.

These last two events of the season traditionally do battle with the weather but this year it was relatively kind and runners were rewarded with clear views of the stunning autumnal colours all around Ullswater. They were even treated to the first snow of the autumn on the higher summits.

The Helvellyn Trails had a little rain but once that cleared there was beautiful sunshine and even a rainbow to help motivate the runners. It also led to some fast times on the day (see results), though Lakeland Trails also have a ‘Trail Challenge’ option for some of their distances, aimed at those who just want to enjoy a run without feeling the pressure of a race. The ‘Challenge’ gives runners another hour and a half to complete the course at their leisure.

Lou Osborn, who won the women’s 15k Helvellyn Trail Race said afterwards, “I ran the very first Lakeland Trails race back in 2004 and it’s great to see how it’s grown over the years”.

American Matt Santo, who finished 10th in the men’s Helvellyn 15k, said, “I usually go to Parkrun on a Saturday morning, but Lakeland Trails is even more fun than Parkrun! It was a really fast course and it was so beautiful.”

One of the unique features of the ‘Dirty Double’ weekend is that runners are taken on the Ullswater Steamers down to Howtown for the start of the Sunday runs, then they make their way round along the lake round to Glenridding via Sandwick and Patterdale. For the last few years the weather has prevented the steamers from sailing (so the organisers had to use a revised route), but this year it was full steam ahead! Runners were excited to board the boats and they were serenaded by local musician and Lakeland Trails regular, Pete Lashley, all the way to Howtown!

There were four sailings for the 10k, 14k Trail Challenge and 14k Trail Race and many of the runners said that the trip on the boat was their highlight of the weekend. Runner and award-winning blogger Jeff McCarthy said, “Ullswater trail run with the Ullswater Steamers is an iconic point-to-point run” and this sentiment was shared by many. The fact that the steamers hadn’t been able to sail for a few years only served to make this year’s event even more special.”

At the finish of all the contests runners were awarded with the coveted Lakeland Trails finishers’ t-shirts, which are ubiquitous in the running community all over the country. The event village also had food and coffee stands for refuelling, and many runners also frequented some of Glenridding’s excellent hotels and cafes for post-run meals and drinks. Event sponsors inov-8 were also on hand for advice and last-minute purchases with their joint stand with Pete Bland. Runners were able to test out pairs of inov-8 ROCLITE and X-TALON shoes when they ran.

Entries for next year’s Lakeland Trails events will open very soon. These events really show off some of the most stunning routes in the Lake District and as they’re fully marked and marshalled they are accessible to runners of all abilities. Because of this the events attract runners of all abilities from all over the country to the Lake District National Park.

Results

Helvellyn 26/10/19

5k

Men:

1. Thomas Pigford 22.42
2. Owain Clark 23.03
3. Oliver Willoughby 24.20

Women:

1. Anna Pigford 22.47
2. Ella Parry 22.57
3. Lara Clayson25.37

10k

Men:

1. Joshua Williams 34.48
2. Adam Colling 35.45
3. Fletcher Foster 36.55

Women:

1. Karen Pickles 44.47
2. Jane Thomas 45.35
3. Emma Cooper 46.07

15k race

Men:

1. Jonathan Cox 55.38
2. John French 56.48
3. Jamie Arkle 57.46

Women:

1. Lou Osborn 1.06.01
2. Karen Smith 1.07.22
3. Heather Tuffs 1.08.01

Ullswater 27/10/19

10k

Men:

1. Gary Bailey 52.23
2. Ronnie Haddow 57.28
3. Stuart Parry 57.57

Women:

1. Ella Parry 58.23
2. Olivia Wiggans 1.02.43
3. Karen Pickles 1.05.23

14k race

Men:

1. Greg Hopkinson 55.35
2. John French 57.40
3. James Warburton 59.35

Women:

1. Amanda Wright-Smith 1.06.39
2. Karen Robertson 1.11.19
3. Alice Clarkson 1.11.51