Lakeland 100 for Cancer Research Uk


Over the last few months I have been concentrating on doing everything I can to make it possible for me and a friend to be able to enter this event so all of my time has been taken up with this, but this weekend we received the e-mail we had been waiting for. Conformation that we had been accepted to run in this event. For those of you that don’t know the event I have got this from their web site.

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, includes in the region of 6300m of ascent and consists almost entirely of public bridleways and footpaths. 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 route does not pass over any of the 'popular' Lakeland summits. Instead, it weaves it's way through stunning valleys, coutours picturesque fells and cuts it's own line through the amazing Lakeland topography. The Lakeland 100 will take you to places in Cumbria you may never have visited before and it's likely you'll wonder why.

The event is continous in nature, competitors don't have to stop or sleep on the route and the winners are generally expected to finish close to the 23 hour mark. The overall time available for the route is 40 hours so sleep at intermediate checkpoints is possible, but time is not on your side.
There are 14 manned checkpoints on the course which are compulsory to visit, food and drink is available at each. Checkpoints generally consist of village halls (where available), staffed by our support team who are ready to greet you, feed you and encourage you onwards. The 40 hours available to complete the course may seem manageable upon your first calculations but don't be fooled. The climb, descent, rugged terrain, darkness and tricky navigation generally ensure a 50-60% failure rate over the 100 mile course. Seasoned ultra runners have tried and many have failed, a finisher's medal in the Lakeland 100 is possibly one of the most treasured possessions you will ever receive. There are few things in life for which you will have to work so hard, show such commitment, desire and the simple stubbornness to keep going.. the minority who have completed the event will concur.

The 100 mile event starts at 5.30pm on the Friday evening and the final cut off will be 9.30am Sunday morning. You can choose to enter the event as a solo participant, as part of a pair or as part of a 3 person team. Pairs and teams must remain together at all times on the course.
The event requires competitors to be experienced ultra distance runners with excellent navigation skills. The drop out rate for this event is a warning signal for anyone contemplating entry, the majority of those who fail are inadequately prepared. Before considering an entry, consider the preparation, consider the hours and consider what it takes to complete the Lakeland 100. If it was easy, it wouldn't be an achievement.

After receiving some really bad news about a very close family member a few months previous to getting into the event I decided that I would do this event for Cancer Research UK  I have set up a just giving page so if you would like to donate that would be amazing. So a big THANK YOU to anyone who donates in advance.


 

 

 

3 comments:

  1. Awesome Daniel. Really good luck with this.

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  2. Fantastic goal for next year Daniel, good luck with all the training.
    Rich

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