lakes in a day: 50 mile ultra from caldbeck to cartmel

Professionally organised race
Full race medical first aid cover
Live Tracking
3 well-stocked feed stations
Event Finishers T-shirt
Event Finishers Medal
Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed male / female
Age category awards: Senior18-39/V40/V50/V60/V70 male & female

We want to make this day one of the best you have had on an ultra run, so we have created a journey that is inspiring, daunting and stunning in equal measure.

If you are leaving your car at Cartmel, you must register on the Friday evening (7-10pm) there will be NO registration at Cartmel on Saturday morning.
Camping is available on Friday night at Cartmel (£10) and Saturday for those who finish late or have a long journey home after the race. To confirm, camping on the Friday / Saturday night is for tents and short wheel base campers (e.g. VW T4 / T5’s). It is not suitable for larger camper vans or motor homes. Vehicles longer than 5m are not permitted on site. Campsite must be clear by 9.00am Sunday morning.

The coaches will leave Cartmel at 5.45am prompt. Faffers and the constipated will not be waited for.

The coach transfer needs to be booked as an extra at a cost £10 and needs to be done by the 10th September.

On Saturday morning registration will be available at the Caldbeck Parish Hall – 6.30am to 7.30am. The hall is approx 500m from the start – this will only be available to people who cannot make it to Cartmel. Drop us an email to [email protected] to let us know in advance so we can have your pack and tracker ready.

If bringing a vehicle to Caldbeck please park responsibly following marshals advice and not in front of driveways – being late or “I’ll only be 5 mins” is not a valid reason for inconsiderate parking.

RACE START is at 8am outside the Oddfellows Arms – be there on time or be left behind!

Coach seat Cartmel>Caldbeck on race day morning (£10)

Camping space at Cartmel racecourse on Friday evening (£10)

Standard refund terms apply (75% up to 4 weeks out, 50% before 2 weeks out, 0% later than 2 weeks out). Please Note: deferring entries to the 2023 event will not be possible.

This route takes in some of the highest fells in the Lake District and we would never say never to cancelling in extraordinary circumstances. Runners need to have the appropriate skills for safe travel on foot through the fells in inclement conditions. You have plenty of time!

Please note, if extremely high winds are forecast we may invoke a low level route and in this event no refund will be given.

Please note that this is the kit list regardless of the weather – even if there is bright blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. With the length of this event and the fickle nature of weather in the Lakes, all of this kit will come in useful and therefore needs to be carried. This list is the minimum and you will most likely be grateful for more!

Waterproof jacket with a hood – not a bin bag or fashion jacket. It needs to have a waterproof membrane and taped seams. We have been known to run waterproofs under a tap just to check they are suitable!

Waterproof trousers – as above.

Insulated layer – fleece / lightweight duvet jacket.

Long sleeve top.

Hat (not a buff) and gloves.

Map (supplied).

MUG – a device that can take at least 200ml of hot water and not fall apart or damage the user. And can be used for hygienically drinking from (so you can’t use your shoe!) – no soft cups.Kit

Compass (not a phone or watch version).

Torch and spare batteries (or spare torch).

Bivy bag (not a foil blanket) e.g. This one

Mobile phone, must not to be used for navigation or have GPS enabled (e.g. strava, mapping tools). If needs be carry another phone.

Whistle.

Money (not just a credit card).

FACEMASK – must be a proper facemask we will not accept ‘Buff’ style face coverings. You will need these for all indoor spaces and outdoors if in close proximity to staff or other participants.

Please use your common sense. This is a long run in wild terrain. If you are at the start line wearing a t-shirt and shorts carrying nothing but a bum bag, expect us to be asking a few questions. If the weather is bad then pack extra kit. This event is not like many other ultras in the UK calendar – it goes up on to the high fells and STAYS up there so don’t take any chances.

You should regard this event as not waymarked, and you should have mountain and map skills. We don’t object to the use of GPS units as back up. GPS must not be your sole means of navigation for this event.

A few short sections of the route will be waymarked to help runners through town sections (Thelkeld and Ambleside, for example). The high fell will never be waymarked and runners need to rely on their own navigation skills for most of the route.

Our friends at Nav4 Adventure will once again lead recce days in the lead up to the event

There are three recce days in the series, each covering a full section of the event route. The series build up in severity and are excellent progressive training as well recce opportunities.

First up is Section Three – Sat 26th March – Ambleside to Cartmel. This is around 22 miles, and the relatively flatter easier trail terrain which many people finish in the dark. It’s easy navigation generally but also easy to mess up. Book Here

Next up is Section One – Saturday 7th May – Caldbeck to Threlkeld. This is the rough remote grassy trod, river fording, Blencathra ascending, Halsfell Ridge descending beast of a start. It’s only 12 miles but packs in 4000′ ascent and the rough slow ground.

Last up is Section Two – Saturday 23rd July – Threlkeld to Ambleside. This is the full length of Helvellyn and The Dodds, the Grisedale Tarn descent (cut-off /opt out site) before the steep ascent of Fairfield and the all important opportunity to nail the navigation blackspot that is Fairfield to Ambleside.

Each of these recce days are bookable direct with NAV4 Adventure via the sientries system. Places are limited and recce ratio of guide to participant is 1:8 maximum so you are ensured good value and the right pace. Transport provided from each finish point to the start prior to the recce.

If you are going to cover 50 miles on foot in the Lakes, then you’ll need to fuel up on a bit more than a few jelly babies.

All feed stations will have hot drinks available as well as a range of savoury and sweet treats to power you up the next climb. (Any surplus perishable foods are donated to local food banks and Manna House in Kendal – so we don’t shy from putting out a bit too much!)

Please do let us know if you are gluten free, vegan or have any other dietary requirements. We are happy to ensure there is catering for these dietary requirements. However, you should be aware that we are unable to transport personal food parcels to feed stations whatever your situation. If there is a food item that we don’t provide and it is key to your race, you either need to carry it or consider not entering this event.

Threlkeld Village Hall – Food – Baguettes, Danish Pastries, Fresh Fruit, Cakes, Crisps & Sweets, Hot drinks, Cold Drinks, Full Fat Cola

Ambleside Parish Centre – Food – Hot Pasta, Pizza, Fresh Fruit, Cakes, Crisps & Sweets, Hot Drinks, Cols Drinks, Full Fat Cola

Finsthwaite Village Hall – Food – Hot Soup, Baguettes, Hot Sausage & Cheese + Onions Rolls, Fresh & tinned fruit, Creamed Rice, Crisps, Cakes & Sweets

Runners meal at Cartmel, which is provided as part of your entry fee, will be delicious – gf/veg/vegan options will be available.

There will be event catering at Cartmel School from Friday evening selling food and hot drinks for anybody arriving to camp at the racecourse or coming to register. They will be selling food for breakfast on Saturday morning from 4.45am before the coaches depart at 5.45am prompt. On Saturday afternoon and into Sunday morning as well as providing the runners meal they will also be selling hot food and drinks to any supporters waiting to see friends and family members. The menu for the weekend will be posted here as soon as we have it.

Break the Record!
£500 cash will be on offer to the 1st lady and 1st man to set a new course record. If this is NOT claimed it is rolled over to the following year. This prize pool is separate for male / female runners and currently stands at £1000 for ladies and £500 for the men.

Current records are;
Male (Ricky Lightfoot) – 8 hours 47 mins 7 secs ~ 2019
Female (Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn) – 10 hours 45 mins ~ 2018
Winners of this prize must have followed the prescribed route and used Hallsfell ridge. If they deviate from the route they must return to where they left the route within 200m. No person who has deviated from the route and been issued with a penalty can be awarded this prize.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear for the race as well as comfortable running clothes. Make sure you check the Mandatory Kit list and ensure you are wearing or carrying everything on the list.

WILL THERE BE A BAG DROP?
There will be a finish bag drop at Cartmel for those wishing to have a change of clothing/shower stuff at the finish. Bags can be dropped at the School Hall in Cartmell on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

For those registering at Caldbeck (who have not been to Cartmell) we can transport a small (max. 5kg) to the finish for you.

CAN I RUN WITH MY DOG?
Sorry, but no.

WHEN CAN I ARRIVE AT THE CAMPSITE?
The campsite will be open from 6pm on Friday night. Please do no arrive before this time.

CAN I WEAR HEADPHONES FOR THE EVENT?
Yes, you can use headphones but please do not wear noise cancelling headphones. We would recommend the use of bone conductor headphones to keep your ears free for hearing any instructions that marshals may have. If you are using earbuds please keep your music to a low level so instructions can be heard over and above your music.

WILL I GET A MEDAL?
Yes, there will be a medal for all finishers.

CAN I USE WALKING POLE?
Yes, walking poles are permitted.

WHAT IS THE EXACT ROUTE?
Full route information will be contained within the race booklet which will be available at least 2 weeks prior to the event

CAN MY FRIENDS/FAMILY SPECTATE?
Yes they can. However, where they do this will be up to them. We would respectfully ask that they DO NOT spectate in Finsthwaite (there just isn’t the room for parking). If they choose to spectate in Threlkeld, then please ask them to use the Cricket Club Car Park due to lack of on street parking. If you are to be cheered on over the finish line then please ask your supporters to park at the Cartmel Race Course and make the short walk to the school where the finish line is located.

CAN I DEFER?
Unfortunately we are unable to offer deferrals. For information on refund options please see Terms & Conditions – Durty Events.

CAN I HAVE A REFUND?
For information on refund options please see Terms & Conditions – Durty Events.

I’VE FORGOTTEN IF I SIGNED UP, CAN YOU CHECK?
If you ticked the box on sign up to allow your name to be published on our website then head over to the entries page and view the list to check for your name