100K in a Day? - Lake District's Ultimate Trails Challenge
The Ultimate Trails Challenge, a 100km circuit of the central Lake District, taking in 6 mountain passes, with 14, 000ft of ascent & descent, 5 picturesque lakes and 10 iconic feed stations has today been announced…
The brand new off road ultra marathon event is being launched by the award winning Lakeland Trails team, taking place on the weekend of 14th/15th September 2013, starting and finishing at Brockhole, Lake District National Park Visitor Centre.
The Challenge is to complete the entire circuit within 24 hours. The way marked and marshalled course also has a 50km ultra marathon option covering the final half of the route and starting from Patterdale.
Course Director, Gaynor Prior, one of the UK’s top ultra distance runners, is already convinced the stunning Lake District course will quickly become the most popular ultra marathon in the UK and appeal to an International audience. Gaynor says
“Having run the entire route, every step is amazing, the scenery stunning, and the start and finish venue at Brockhole is just a perfect venue to stage such an event.”
The Ultimate Trails Challenge will be supporting the charity Nurture Lakeland and Fix the Fells, and aims to bring a world class ultra marathon event to the Lake District. Already the event has partnered with the world’s biggest ultra marathon – the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), and the 100km is worth 3 entry credit points for the UTMB.
Event Director, Graham Patten says
“This year we’re celebrating our 10th year organising the Lakeland Trails, and we’re responding to the growing demand for personal challenges such as ultra marathons. We wanted to create something truly unique here in the Lake District, and to offer a real challenge to everyone – runners and walkers alike, to achieve something remarkable by completing 100km in a day, in a safe, enjoyable and environmentally responsible event. We hope normal everyday people will see completing the Ultimate Trails as their equivalent to experienced fell runners tackling the epic Bob Graham Round”
Early bird entry is available until 30th April and entry numbers are being restricted for this first year on a first come, first served basis. Already the event is over 50% full, so we’re advising people to book now to guarantee their place.
Entry includes electronic chip timing, food and drinks along the route, event T shirt memento, digital photo memento out on the course, a meal at the finish and coach transfer to the start (50km only).
Find out more via the event website www.ultimatetrails.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/ultimatetrails
