The Montane Lakeland 100 is now known as the ‘must do’ UK Ultra, not just because of the awesome running, but because of the ‘legendary’ event that surrounds it. First coming to my attention a few years back via club member Phil Hodge and then more recently while staying in the lakes last year, I thought it a great way to explore more of the Lake District. I’ve since discovered cycling and open top bus tours among other options that exist! Anyhow, with the ballot for entries opening in September, I put my name forward and was successful gaining a place.
With the idea that a good result in the Spine Challenger, followed by a good season of preparation, the LL100 should be a pleasure. This didn’t take into consideration post run DVT and a strict 3 month recovery period… and general advice from the Clot Clinic to stop running. So, with the only certainty being uncertainty I started to build my miles back up slowly in the hope that I would make the start line… which I did, the finish line however was another matter.
The LL100 is actually 105 miles with an eye watering 6856 metres of ascent/descent, starting and finishing in the village of Coniston in the southern reaches of the Lake District. It sees on average 600 entrants with a further 1700 entrants on the accompanying LL50. Though with a 40-50% attrition rate, numbers on the route are gradually somewhat less. The LL100 starts at 6pm on the Friday evening with a 40 hr cut off. While with a 24 hr cut off, the LL50 starts at 11.30am the following morning for the final 50 miles. Those completing either distance gain the status of Lakeland ‘Legends’ and the obligatory T-Shirt and Medal.
Arriving in the Lakes just before the event gave just one opportunity to recce an element of the mainly unknown route prior to the start. I decided the last 4 miles would be the most beneficial, as it was the last ‘technical’ section after a reasonably moderate 25-30 miles. I’d most certainly be undertaking it in the dark and inevitably a tad tired. This proved a good idea and time well spent… leaving only 101 miles of unknown!
Friday morning arrived and we made our way to the ‘festival’ venue at the John Rushkin School in Coniston. Flags clearly identifying the theme and setting the scene for this years event… ‘Conistock 2022 – Make Legends Not War’. At 9am the venue was already hiving with activity, with entrants and supporters setting up camp, followed by registration, kit check and tracker fitting. After that, it was some down time to enjoy the live music or any combination of eating and sleeping until the race briefing at 4.30pm.
The briefing itself was a serious and worrying build up, but more worrying was the increasing temperature and accompanying humidity. The most up to date forecast was showing a mix of highs… temperature and humidity but coupled with equally high winds and rainfall. A final check of kit and I joined the 541 others at a very crowded start line as instructed for 5.45. Following a live performance of the race anthem, Nessun Dorma, AC/DC’s Thunderstruck signalled the race start, and at 6 sharp, we set off through a buzzing Coniston.
A very civilised pace took us up the Miners Road before crossing onto the Walnar Scar Road. The odd queue developed at pinch points but it wasn’t long before everyone was finding their own pace and settling into the race. Albeit called a road, the very rough but equally scenic mountain track led to check point 1 in the village of Seathwaite. After 7 miles and 659 metres, I stopped by the village hall in 1:33.10 for a quick top up of water and a slice of Jamaican ginger.
I’d been given lots of varied advice in the days and hours before the race, but the most common being to take the first 30-40 miles easy. Apparently, the most technically challenging terrain falls within the first 30% of the route and often the downfall of many a runner. As I was a little faster than anticipated to check point 1, I set off more cautiously towards check point 2. With 7 miles bagged, I’d started my countdown… less than 100 miles to go!
The route towards checkpoint 2 in Boot was equally as rough and maintained its reputation as the ‘wet’ section. That said, we still hadn’t reached the really technical terrain, so this was still the ‘warm up’. Nevertheless, it still took its toll as I passed two runners sitting head in hands and at least a further two hobbling back towards check point 1. Thankfully I survived and after a further 7 miles and 385 metres, I reached the old mill in 1:35:21. Another quick top up of water and I was on my way to maximise what was left of daylight.
All was going reasonably well and I was settling in to a comfortable pace… what could possibly go wrong? On the way to checkpoint 3 at Wasdale Head darkness descended and I happily engaged my head torch. A really good head torch can make all the difference and to ensure no problems I’d also fitted new batteries just before the race. However, after about 15 minutes, the torch went into ‘power save’ mode, providing little more than a candle light. With only a flicker of hope I covered another 5.4 miles and 297 metres reaching the Barn in 1:22:27. With a focus on torch repairs, albeit to no avail, I hurriedly grabbed a quick cup of cola and set off again.
With continued limited light, the onset of rain, and the start of the more technical terrain towards checkpoint 4, I opted for my waterproof jacket and poles. However, within a few metres my second problem occurred with a snapped pole. And as all good things come in 3’s this was closely followed with severe nausea. Although not an ideal situation, I was distracted by trying to plan ahead including how to solve my ongoing problems… sickness in particular. With Black Sail and Scarth Gap Passes cleared, I covered a further 6.9 miles and 712 m before descending into Buttermere in 2:23:19. With nausea continuing I opted for water only going forward, refilling my bottles and shuffling on. Before leaving, I had another, and this time successful attempt at fixing my headtorch… progress!
With another equally technical leg taking in Sail Pass, I made steady progress towards check point 5. With a lot of contouring, I even managed to usefully reengage my one long and one slightly shorter pole. Unfortunately the nausea was continuing and increasing with effort, so containing pace by default. I’ve never experienced sickness before on an event and certainly never appreciated how debilitating it can be. After a further 6.5 miles and 573 metres I arrived at the Braithwaite Village Hall, which was more like a field hospital, in 2:14:15. Aware of the need to refuel, I took some time, had some bland options washed down with a few cups of tea before continuing.
Feeling slightly better, with some easier terrain ahead and daylight on the horizon, I pushed through the next few check points at Blencathra, Dockray and into Dalemain. The weather, which had been down right miserable with heavy rain and strong winds from daybreak had now cleared to a rather warm morning. Though forecast to deteriorate, it was pleasant while it lasted and presented an opportunity to delayed and dry out. It was also very pleasant having space in comparison to the first few hours of the event with the field either spreading out or dropping out. Dalemain is the psychological midway of the route at 59 miles and a ‘super’ checkpoint where you can access you drop bag as well as enjoy a broad selection of hospitality such as having your feet taped! Thankfully my feet were fine and after a quick change of socks and a refill of water, I was out… into torrential rain. Although tempted to shelter for a while longer, Dalemain is also the imminent start of the LL50 and I really didn’t fancy being stuck behind another 1500 runners. After 16:54 on my feet, I’d now covered 59.1 miles and 3891 metres, now well over halfway.
The Lakeland is full of surprises and sometimes when least expected. After leaving Dalemain, the route passes through the village of Pooley Bridge – apparently the only stainless steel bridge in the UK. It’s also one of the suggested spectator points for both the 100 and imminent 50 mile with its 1500 competitors. As I approached the village, a few folk starting cheering and clapping me along… and although tempted to slow to a walk over the hump backed bridge, I decided to keep my pace, and catch my breath on the other side, couldn’t possibly slow now. Little did I realise that on the other side of the bridge, several hundred people also lined the road cheering and clapping… for at least a mile… uphill! I was very pleased to round a bend and get out of sight!
Progress was good and I was managing to hold my pace well as we entered another reasonably technical section of the route. Though while continuing to push through checkpoints at Howtown, Mardale Head, Kentmere and Ambleside, the impact of the deteriorating weather on pace was noticeable. After another Pooley Bridge experience entering Ambleside, even in the torrential rain, I entered darkness for the second night but still hopeful of success… just maybe not as fast as hoped. At this stage, general fatigue was evident and expected but worsened with the combination of darkness and the continually deteriorating weather. In a total of 27:05, with 89.4 miles and 5952 metres covered, the end was definitely within reach, it was just a matter of time.
After a few blurry hours, I wasn’t so much pushing through but struggling through the check points. Chapel Stile and Tilberthwaite came and went and at last I reached the final leg and the one section I’d had the opportunity to recce! That was definitely time well spent and made a massive difference psychologically when as expected, I had little left. With a final run into and through Coniston, motivated not least by Ethan standing trail side in the pouring rain and in the middle of the night, I crossed the line in 33:37.
“It’s not about setting a fast time but having a good time”
Entries to the Lakeland 50 & 100 2023 are by ballot with the ballot opening at 9am today (1st September) for 48hrs… if your considering it, get your name down now, you’ve nothing to loose!
Report by Martin McMullan
